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1. Rxd4 (a) exd4
2. Kxc5 . White gets the rook back and probably cleans out the Queenside pawns.
1. … (b) cxd4
2. Kc5 . same thing
Mark
Rxd4 folloed by K-c5 or Kxc5 forking the black rooks
I think play 1. Rxd4
1.Rxd4 and black should probably resign.
If 1..c5xd4 , Kc5 threatens the two black rooks.
Returning the exchange with (either)Rxc6 is no good-material is level , but White K is more active than the black K and white’s passed pawn on d5 is now mobile.
What if 1..e5xd4 ?
This is even worse , as the white K still moves to c5, but this time , it captures a pawn.
If there are any young players or novices here : these puzzles show you that piece values are relative , not absolute.
The ” 3 points for a bishop , 5 points for a rook” dictum MUST be disregarded here !
At first sight , it seems the black B on d4 , supported by two pawns , is very strong.But here , it is well worth to sacrifice the
exchange and get a winning position.
In fact , it seems to me the ONLY way to win.
Rd4 Kc5
Funny puzzle!
The position seems very closed, but white can create immediate action here:
1. Rxd4! cxd4 (exd4 Kxc5 gains an extra pawn and is otherwise as below)
2. Kc5
Double attack against the rooks being splitted by Bc6.
2. … Rbxc6 (Rdxc6 makes little difference)
3. dxc6
Regains the quality, and gives white a beutiful passed c-pawn.
This pawn wins! Black shall have to give rook to stop it, since his king is too remote to be helpful!
Or:
2. … Rd8 (Rb8 is no improvement)
3. Kxb6
is simply up with bishop, and white has his passed d-pawn quickly winning.
1. Rxd4 cxd4
2. Kc5 Rbxc6
3. dxc6 Rd8
4. c7 Rc8
5. Kc6 d3
6. Rd2 Kf6
7. Kd7
1 – 0
Wait a second I don’t understand.. After Rxd4, cant Black rook take white bishop to equalize, and if pawn takes black rook then black rook takes white rook with check? SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!