Chess Puzzle #MPZxZ — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b4; rooks a1/d1; pawns a4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks a5/a8; pawns b7/c6/e4/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa4 — rook a5→a4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa4 — rook a1→a4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxa4 (queen a6→a4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxa4 — queen b4→a4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, long. The key move Rxa4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1p4pp/q1p5/r4p2/PQ2pP2/8/6PP/R2R3K b - - 7 30

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