Chess Puzzle #AWjcw — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; rook d4; pawns a2/b3/f4/g3/h4. Black: king f5; rook d5; pawns a5/e6/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook d5→d4, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxd4 — king e3→d4, captures rook. Opponent replies Kg4 (king f5→g4).
3. Best move: a3 — pawn a2→a3. Opponent replies Kxg3 (king g4→g3, captures pawn).
4. Best move: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Opponent replies axb4 (pawn a5→b4, captures pawn).
5. Best move: axb4 — pawn a3→b4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Kxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/4p1p1/p2r1k1p/3R1P1P/1P2K1P1/P7/8 b - - 0 35

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