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

Position

White: king g3; rooks e6/e7; bishop f3; pawns a2/c4/d5. Black: king a7; rooks a8/b2; bishop b7; pawns a5/b4/c5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa2 — rook b2→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb7+ — rook e7→b7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb7 (king a7→b7, captures rook).
3. Best move: d6+ — pawn d5→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king b7→a7).
4. Best move: Re7+ — rook e6→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb6 (king a7→b6).
5. Best move: Bxa8 — bishop f3→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, endgame, exposed king, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxb7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/kb2R3/4R3/p1pP4/1pP5/5BK1/Pr6/8 b - - 1 38

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