Chess Puzzle #frr5m — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; rook d3; pawns a4/b3/c4/e4/h4. Black: king e6; rook d7; pawns a5/b7/c5/f6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd4 — rook d7→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d3→d4, captures rook. Opponent replies cxd4 (pawn c5→d4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Kd3 — king c2→d3. Opponent replies Ke5 (king e6→e5).
4. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e5→d6).
5. Best move: Kxd4 — king d3→d4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move Rxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p1r3p/4kp2/p1p5/P1P1P2P/1P1R4/2K5/8 b - - 3 35

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