Chess Puzzle #JW34i — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; rook f7; pawns b3/e5/f4/g3/h4. Black: king h8; rook a2; pawns a5/b4/e6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra3 — rook a2→a3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
3. Best move: f5 — pawn f4→f5. Opponent replies exf5 (pawn e6→f5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: e6 — pawn e5→e6. Opponent replies Ra1 (rook a3→a1).
5. Best move: e7 — pawn e6→e7.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7k/5Rp1/4p2p/p3P3/1p3P1P/1P4PK/r7/8 b - - 0 44

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