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

Position

White: king d2; rook f7; pawns e6/f2/g2/h4. Black: king c8; rook d5; pawns b4/b7/d3/f5/g4/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b3 — pawn b4→b3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king c8→c7).
3. Best move: e7 — pawn e6→e7. Opponent replies Re5 (rook d5→e5).
4. Best move: e8=Q — pawn e7→e8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook e5→e8, captures queen).
5. Best move: Rxe8 — rook f8→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, rook endgame, very long. The key move is Rf8+.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/1p3R2/4P3/3r1p1p/1p4pP/3p4/3K1PP1/8 b - - 1 31

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