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

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e5; bishops c1/f1; knight b6; pawns a4/b2/c3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/e8; bishops a6/g7; knight f6; pawns a5/b4/c6/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra7 — rook a8→a7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa5 — rook e5→a5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxf1 (bishop a6→f1, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rxa7 — rook a5→a7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxa5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/4ppbp/bNp2np1/p3R3/Pp6/2P3P1/1P3P1P/R1B2BK1 b - - 0 18

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