Chess Puzzle #F4g7W — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; rooks c1/g1; pawns a3/e6/h2. Black: king f8; rooks a8/d5; bishop f3; pawns a7/e5/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e4 — pawn e5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc7 — rook c1→c7. Opponent replies Rf5 (rook d5→f5).
3. Best move: Rgg7 — rook g1→g7. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook a8→c8).
4. Best move: Rgf7+ — rook g7→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f5→f7, captures rook).
5. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c7→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f8→g7).
6. Best move: exf7 — pawn e6→f7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, exposed king, master, master vs master, very long. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/p6p/4P3/3rp3/8/P3Kb2/7P/2R3R1 b - - 0 39

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