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

Position

White: king d2; rook d4; pawns a2/b4/c3/f4/g5. Black: king f7; rook d5; pawns a3/b5/c4/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke6 — king f7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d4→d5, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxd5 (king e6→d5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ke3 — king d2→e3. Opponent replies Kc6 (king d5→c6).
4. Best move: Ke4 — king e3→e4. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c6→d6).
5. Best move: Kd4 — king e4→d4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move Rxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5k1p/6p1/1p1r2P1/1PpR1P2/p1P5/P2K4/8 b - - 4 42

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.