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

Position

White: king d3; rook e4; pawns b4/c4/d4/g4/h5. Black: king f6; rook d5; pawns b5/c6/e5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4+ — rook d5→d4, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd4 — rook e4→d4, captures rook. Opponent replies exd4 (pawn e5→d4, captures rook).
3. Best move: cxb5 — pawn c4→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies cxb5 (pawn c6→b5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Kxd4 — king d3→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kg5 (king f6→g5).
5. Best move: Kc5 — king d4→c5. Opponent replies Kxg4 (king g5→g4, captures pawn).
6. Best move: Kxb5 — king c5→b5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/6p1/2p2k1p/1p1rp2P/1PPPR1P1/3K4/8/8 b - - 0 40

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