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

Position

White: king e2; rook d1; bishop a7; pawns a5/b4/g2/g3/h3. Black: king d5; rook c1; pawns b5/c3/d2/e5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook c1→d1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxd1 — king e2→d1, captures rook. Opponent replies Kc4 (king d5→c4).
3. Best move: Kc2 — king d1→c2. Opponent replies Kxb4 (king c4→b4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Kxd1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/B5p1/7p/Pp1kp3/1P6/2p3PP/3pK1P1/2rR4 b - - 2 42

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