Chess Puzzle #Z1UuB — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks a7/d1; pawns c5/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks c6/d8; knight d5; pawns e4/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f4 — pawn f5→f4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8 — rook a7→a8. Opponent replies Rxa8 (rook d8→a8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d1→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Ra1+ (rook a8→a1, gives check).
4. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d5→d1, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, discovered attack, discovered check, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move is Ra8.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/R5pp/2r5/2Pn1pq1/4p3/1Q2P1P1/5P1P/3R2K1 b - - 1 31

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