I predict Rxa5 to be the strongest move, too, but it is far from being over.
1. -, Rxa5 2. Raxc3 or Rdxc3. Of course not 2. bxa5+?? as Rb1+ 3. Kf2 (Rd1 won’t help), Bh4#
After 2. Ra/dxc3 the a pawn is getting really strong after 2. -, Rxb4 followed by Bb2 and a3. White’s only chance to stop it seems to be to let black imprison his rook on a2 after which the black rooks should win this endgame as white can’t handle all threats (doubling on second row, trying to exchange the rook via a1 and promote the pawn afterwards, attacking white’s singled pawns). White has no counterplay, has he!?
I do not see a big difference which rook takes on a3 but I slightly prefer the d rook as after 2. Raxc3, Rxb4 the rook has to return very quick. Trying to get active with 2. Rdxc3, Rxb4 3. Rc7 has to be calculated, too, but K going to g6 seems to end this activity as again white has no time for counterplay.
Perhaps I have overseen any white possibility to counterplay!?
Thanks A. Baburin for your innate generosity.
Best wishes
A. Weiler
1….Rxa5
I predict Rxa5 to be the strongest move, too, but it is far from being over.
1. -, Rxa5 2. Raxc3 or Rdxc3. Of course not 2. bxa5+?? as Rb1+ 3. Kf2 (Rd1 won’t help), Bh4#
After 2. Ra/dxc3 the a pawn is getting really strong after 2. -, Rxb4 followed by Bb2 and a3. White’s only chance to stop it seems to be to let black imprison his rook on a2 after which the black rooks should win this endgame as white can’t handle all threats (doubling on second row, trying to exchange the rook via a1 and promote the pawn afterwards, attacking white’s singled pawns).
White has no counterplay, has he!?
I do not see a big difference which rook takes on a3 but I slightly prefer the d rook as after 2. Raxc3, Rxb4 the rook has to return very quick.
Trying to get active with 2. Rdxc3, Rxb4 3. Rc7 has to be calculated, too, but K going to g6 seems to end this activity as again white has no time for counterplay.
Perhaps I have overseen any white possibility to counterplay!?
Best wishes from Germany
Jochen
I think that after 1 … Rxa5 2 R(either)xc3, Ra7 is strong, no?
–gb