Chess Puzzle #4Sl8P — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; rook c3; pawns c4/e5/f5/g3/h3. Black: king c5; rook d4; pawns a5/b6/f7/g7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook d4→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc4+ — rook c3→c4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc4 (king c5→c4, captures rook).
3. Best move: e6 — pawn e5→e6. Opponent replies fxe6 (pawn f7→e6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: fxe6 — pawn f5→e6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/5pp1/1p6/p1k1PP1p/2Pr4/2R1K1PP/8/8 b - - 2 38

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