Chess Puzzle #gFA5R — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b4; rook a1; bishop e3; pawns a5/c6/e5/f4/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a7/a8; pawns b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa5 — rook a7→a5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa5 — rook a1→a5, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxa5 (queen c7→a5, captures rook).
3. Best move: cxb7 — pawn c6→b7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, short. The key move Rxa5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/rpq2ppp/2P1p3/P2pP3/1Q3P1P/4B3/6P1/R5K1 b - - 0 28

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