Chess Puzzle #Vd2cZ — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a2/f7; bishop e4; pawns b4/c3/d4/e5/g2/h3. Black: king b6; queen g5; rooks c8/h8; bishops b7/g7; pawns a6/b5/c4/c6/e6/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rhg8 — rook h8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa6+ — rook a2→a6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bxa6 (bishop b7→a6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qa2 — queen e2→a2. Opponent replies Qe3+ (queen g5→e3, gives check).
4. Best move: Kf1 — king g1→f1.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, defensive move, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxa6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r4r/1b3Rb1/pkp1p2p/1p2P1q1/1PpPB3/2P4P/R3Q1P1/6K1 b - - 0 35

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