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

Position

White: king g1; rooks a3/b1; pawns a7/f2/f3/h2. Black: king c7; rooks a8/d4; pawns e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook d4→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc3+ — rook a3→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c7→d6).
3. Best move: Rd3+ — rook c3→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king d6→e7).
4. Best move: Rxd7+ — rook d3→d7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king e7→d7, captures rook).
5. Best move: Rb7+ — rook b1→b7, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, endgame, exposed king, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/P1k2ppp/4p3/8/3r4/R4P2/5P1P/1R4K1 b - - 2 31

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