Chess Puzzle #THlw2 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; rooks c8/e2; pawns a2/b2/f5/g4/h3. Black: king h7; rooks a1/d4; pawns a4/b5/c6/f6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa2 — rook a1→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ree8 — rook e2→e8. Opponent replies Rxb2+ (rook a2→b2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf3 — king g2→f3. Opponent replies Rd3+ (rook d4→d3, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke4 — king f3→e4. Opponent replies Re2+ (rook b2→e2, gives check).
5. Best move: Kxd3 — king e4→d3, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook e2→e8, captures rook).
6. Best move: Rxe8 — rook c8→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move is Ree8.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/6pk/2p2p1p/1p3P2/p2r2P1/7P/PP2R1K1/r7 b - - 1 36

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