Chess Puzzle #Xuy01 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rooks a3/d8; pawns c3/f3/h4. Black: king c4; rooks a7/c5; pawns a5/c6/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd4+ — rook d8→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb5 (king c4→b5).
3. Best move: Rb4+ — rook d4→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Ka6 (king b5→a6).
4. Best move: Rbxa4+ — rook b4→a4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb6 (king a6→b6).
5. Best move: Rxa7 — rook a4→a7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rbxa4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/r6p/2p3p1/p1r2p2/2k4P/R1P2P2/5K2/8 b - - 4 41

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