Chess Puzzle #I1P8h — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; queen d4; rooks f3/g3; pawns a4/e4/e7/h3. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks c2/h5; pawns b6/d6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc3+ — rook c2→c3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ke2 — king e3→e2. Opponent replies Rc2+ (rook c3→c2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf1 — king e2→f1. Opponent replies Rc1+ (rook c2→c1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kg2 — king f1→g2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Ke2.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/4P1pp/1p1p4/2q4r/P2QP3/4KRRP/2r5/8 b - - 10 39

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