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

Position

White: king c3; rooks b1/e1; bishop g2; knight g5; pawns a4/c4/d4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king d6; rooks b8/e7; bishop d7; knight b4; pawns a7/b6/c5/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a7→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: dxc5+ — pawn d4→c5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies bxc5 (pawn b6→c5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rbd1+ — rook b1→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d6→c7).
4. Best move: Rxe7 — rook e1→e7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, long, middlegame, pin. The key move dxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/p2br2p/1p1k2p1/2p2pN1/PnPP4/2K3P1/5PBP/1R2R3 b - - 0 24

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