Chess Puzzle #Tl5av — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/g6; bishop b2; pawns a2/b3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/e2; bishop h3; knight f7; pawns a6/b7/d5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king g8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ba3+ — bishop b2→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f8→e8).
3. Best move: Rg8+ — rook g6→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e8→d7).
4. Best move: Rxa8 — rook g8→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies Ng5 (knight f7→g5).
5. Best move: Rf8 — rook a8→f8.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, exposed king, middlegame, skewer, very long. The key move is Ba3+.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1p3n2/p5R1/3p4/8/1P4Pb/PB2r2P/R5K1 b - - 3 26

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