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

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e1; pawns a4/b4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook a8; bishop f5; knight c3; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa4 — rook a8→a4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa4 — rook a1→a4, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxa4 (knight c3→a4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ra1 — rook e1→a1. Opponent replies Bc2 (bishop f5→c2).
4. Best move: Rc1 — rook a1→c1. Opponent replies f6 (pawn f7→f6).
5. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c1→c2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, endgame, very long. The key move Rxa4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5ppp/4p3/3pPb2/PP6/2n5/5PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 23

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