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

Position

White: king d2; queen e2; rook c1; pawns a7/b2/d5/e3. Black: king c8; queen f2; rook d7; pawns c7/e4/f5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd5+ — rook d7→d5, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kc3 — king d2→c3. Opponent replies Rc5+ (rook d5→c5, gives check).
3. Best move: Kb3 — king c3→b3. Opponent replies Qxe2 (queen f2→e2, captures queen).
4. Best move: a8=Q+ — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
5. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c1→c5, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxe3+ (queen e2→e3, captures pawn, gives check).
6. Best move: Rc3 — rook c5→c3.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, promotion, very long. The key move is Kc3.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/P1pr3p/8/3P1p2/4p3/4P3/1P1KQq2/2R5 b - - 1 38

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