Chess Puzzle #n2asD — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; rook e1; pawns b2/c6/d5/e5/g2/h4. Black: king b5; rook e8; pawns a6/c7/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook e8→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe5 — rook e1→e5, captures rook. Opponent replies fxe5 (pawn f6→e5, captures rook).
3. Best move: b4 — pawn b2→b4. Opponent replies Kxb4 (king b5→b4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: d6 — pawn d5→d6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame. The key move Rxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/2p3pp/p1P2p2/1k1PP3/7P/8/1P4P1/1K2R3 b - - 0 30

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