Chess Puzzle #09HXJ — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g4; rook f3; pawns a4/b3/f5/g5. Black: king e7; rook e1; pawns a5/b6/c5/d4/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re3 — rook e1→e3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe3+ — rook f3→e3, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies dxe3 (pawn d4→e3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Kf3 — king g4→f3. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b6→b5).
4. Best move: axb5 — pawn a4→b5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move Rxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/4k1p1/1p6/p1p2PP1/P2p2K1/1P3R2/8/4r3 b - - 7 38

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