Chess Puzzle #o1XeS — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; rook e1; knight f4; pawns a2/b2/c3/c4/d6/g3/h2. Black: king a7; queen e4; pawns a6/b7/c6/e3/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb8 — king a7→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7. Opponent replies Kc7 (king b8→c7).
3. Best move: Rd1 — rook e1→d1. Opponent replies Kd8 (king c7→d8).
4. Best move: Rd6 — rook d1→d6.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move is d7.

Position data

FEN: 8/kp4pp/p1pP4/8/2P1qN2/2P1p1P1/PP5P/2K1R3 b - - 0 30

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