Chess Puzzle #2Z8KK — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/e3; pawns a2/d6/h3. Black: king g8; rooks a8/f8; pawns a7/b7/d5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfe8 — rook f8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e3→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook e8→d8).
4. Best move: Rc8 — rook c1→c8. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
5. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, pin, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pp3ppp/3P4/3p4/8/4R2P/P7/2R3K1 b - - 0 23

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