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

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/f1; bishop h2; knight f3; pawns a6/e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e8; rooks b2/h8; bishops c8/g7; knight g8; pawns c5/d5/e6/f4/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook b2→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies Ra8 (rook b8→a8).
3. Best move: Rfb1 — rook f1→b1. Opponent replies Kf7 (king e8→f7).
4. Best move: Rb8 — rook b1→b8. Opponent replies Rxa7 (rook a8→a7, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Rxa7+ — rook a1→a7, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, equality, middlegame, quiet move, very long. The key move Rxa7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2b1k1nr/6b1/P3p2p/2ppP1p1/5p2/5N1P/1r3PPB/R4RK1 b k - 0 21

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