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

Position

White: king g1; rook d1; pawns a2/b2/d5/g2/g3. Black: king h7; rook e2; pawns a6/b7/d4/f6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook e2→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: d6 — pawn d5→d6. Opponent replies Rb6 (rook b2→b6).
3. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d1→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxd6 (rook b6→d6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rxd6 — rook d4→d6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move is d6.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p5k/p4p2/3P4/3p4/6P1/PP2r1P1/3R2K1 b - - 0 32

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