Chess Puzzle #J1No8 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/a2; knight f3; pawns a5/b2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks b6/b8; bishop d7; pawns c6/d5/d6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook b6→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb2 — rook a2→b2, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxb2 (rook b8→b2, captures rook).
3. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxb2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/3b1ppp/1rpp4/P2p4/3P4/5N2/RP3PPP/R5K1 b - - 0 27

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