Chess Puzzle #ShhXi — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rooks c4/d1; bishop g3; pawns b3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks b5/d7; bishop f6; pawns a5/d4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb3 — rook b5→b3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c4→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d7→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd8 (bishop f6→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Re1 — rook d1→e1. Opponent replies g5 (pawn g7→g5).
5. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
6. Best move: Rxd8 — rook e8→d8, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, quiet move, very long. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3r1ppp/5b2/pr6/2Rp4/1P4BP/5PP1/3R1K2 b - - 3 31

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