Chess Puzzle #B9St7 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rook e1; pawns a4/b3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king a6; rook f8; pawns a5/e5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re4 — rook e1→e4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxf4+ — rook f8→f4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf4 (rook e4→f4, captures rook).
3. Best move: exf4 — pawn e5→f4, captures rook. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f1→e2).
4. Best move: Kb6 — king a6→b6.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move Rxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/6pp/k7/p3p3/P4P2/1P6/6PP/4RK2 w - - 1 37

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