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

Position

White: king h6; rook g7; pawns a3/b2/c2/c3/g6. Black: king g8; rook e5; pawns a7/c4/c5/c7/e3. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king g8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc7 — rook g7→c7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Re6 (rook e5→e6).
3. Best move: Kh7 — king h6→h7. Opponent replies Rxg6 (rook e6→g6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Kxg6 — king h7→g6, captures rook. Opponent replies e2 (pawn e3→e2).
5. Best move: Kf6 — king g6→f6. Opponent replies e1=Q (pawn e2→e1, promotes to queen).
6. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen e1→e8).
7. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook c8→e8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p1p3R1/6PK/2p1r3/2p5/P1P1p3/1PP5/8 b - - 1 37

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