Chess Puzzle #2HzMp — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; rook c6; pawns b5/f2/g3/h3. Black: king c3; rook a4; pawns a5/d2/f5/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc4 — rook a4→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc4+ — rook c6→c4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc4 (king c3→c4, captures rook).
3. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies Kc3 (king c4→c3).
4. Best move: Kd1 — king e2→d1. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a5→a4).
5. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2R4p/pP3pp1/r7/2k3PP/3pKP2/8 b - - 2 43

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