Chess Puzzle #EUV8z — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c3; rook e5; pawns a3/b4/d3/f4/g3/h3. Black: king f8; rook d5; pawns a4/b5/c5/f5/f7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook d5→e5, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: fxe5 — pawn f4→e5, captures rook. Opponent replies cxb4+ (pawn c5→b4, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxb4 — king c3→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies h5 (pawn h7→h5).
4. Best move: h4 — pawn h3→h4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move fxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/5p1p/8/1pprRp2/pP3P2/P1KP2PP/8/8 b - - 1 28

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