Chess Puzzle #Fx9gH — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d4; rook a5; pawns c3/e4/g5/h4. Black: king d6; rook b7; pawns c6/c7/e6/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb5 — rook b7→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e5+ — pawn e4→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king d6→d7).
3. Best move: Rxb5 — rook a5→b5, captures rook. Opponent replies cxb5 (pawn c6→b5, captures rook).
4. Best move: Kc5 — king d4→c5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move is e5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/1rp5/2pkp1p1/R5Pp/3KP2P/2P5/8/8 b - - 2 39

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