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

Position

White: king b2; rooks c1/c5; pawns a2/b3/d5/f4/g4. Black: king b8; rooks d8/g8; pawns a6/b7/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook d8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c5→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook g8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc8 (king b8→c8, captures rook).
4. Best move: f5 — pawn f4→f5. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
5. Best move: Kc3 — king b2→c3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r2r1/1p4p1/p4p1p/2RP4/5PP1/1P6/PK6/2R5 b - - 2 31

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