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

Position

White: king d2; rook e2; pawns a3/b2/c3/g2/h3. Black: king e5; rook e3; pawns a6/c4/d5/f4/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke4 — king e5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe3+ — rook e2→e3, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies fxe3+ (pawn f4→e3, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Ke2 — king d2→e2. Opponent replies h5 (pawn h6→h5).
4. Best move: g3 — pawn g2→g3. Opponent replies a5 (pawn a6→a5).
5. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4. Opponent replies d4 (pawn d5→d4).
6. Best move: cxd4 — pawn c3→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxd4 (king e4→d4, captures pawn).
7. Best move: g4 — pawn g3→g4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, quiet move, rook endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move Rxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p6p/3pk3/2p2p2/P1P1r2P/1P1KR1P1/8 b - - 2 66

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