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

Position

White: king g4; rook c5; bishop f6; pawns b4/e5/f4/h3. Black: king h7; rook a8; bishop c4; pawns b5/e6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra3 — rook a8→a3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8 — rook c5→c8. Opponent replies Be2+ (bishop c4→e2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg5 — king g4→g5. Opponent replies Rg3+ (rook a3→g3, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh4 — king g5→h4. Opponent replies g5+ (pawn g6→g5, gives check).
5. Best move: Kxg3 — king h4→g3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move is Rc8.

Position data

FEN: r7/5p1k/4pBp1/1pR1P3/1Pb2PK1/7P/8/8 b - - 6 41

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