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

Position

White: king g1; rook e3; pawns a5/b4/c3/d4/h2. Black: king b7; rook f4; pawns a6/b5/c7/d5/g4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re4 — rook f4→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe4 — rook e3→e4, captures rook. Opponent replies dxe4 (pawn d5→e4, captures rook).
3. Best move: d5 — pawn d4→d5. Opponent replies c6 (pawn c7→c6).
4. Best move: d6 — pawn d5→d6. Opponent replies Kc8 (king b7→c8).
5. Best move: Kf2 — king g1→f2. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
6. Best move: Ke3 — king f2→e3. Opponent replies Kxd6 (king d7→d6, captures pawn).
7. Best move: Kxe4 — king e3→e4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/1kp5/p7/Pp1p4/1P1P1rp1/2P1R3/7P/6K1 b - - 1 31

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