Chess Puzzle #ao1Vq — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook c1; pawns a4/b6/c5/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e7; rook a3; pawns a5/b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa4 — rook a3→a4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Opponent replies bxc6 (pawn b7→c6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rb1 — rook c1→b1. Opponent replies Rxd4 (rook a4→d4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame, sacrifice. The key move is c6.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p2kppp/1P2p3/p1P5/P2P4/r6P/5PP1/2R3K1 b - - 0 25

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