Chess Puzzle #4ESyg — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; rooks e5/h1; pawns a2/c3/f3. Black: king f7; rooks c2/d7; pawns a7/b7/c6/c7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c2→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh7+ — rook h1→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king f7→f6).
3. Best move: Rxd7 — rook h7→d7, captures rook. Opponent replies Rc4+ (rook c3→c4, gives check).
4. Best move: Re4 — rook e5→e4.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, rook endgame, skewer. The key move is Rh7+.

Position data

FEN: 8/pppr1k2/2p5/4R3/5K2/2P2P2/P1r5/7R b - - 1 26

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