Chess Puzzle #zkF52 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; rook a6; pawns a2/b2/c2/e6/g3. Black: king e7; rook e5; pawns a5/b4/c4/e4/g4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe6 — rook e5→e6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe6+ — rook a6→e6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe6 (king e7→e6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Kxe4 — king f4→e4, captures pawn. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a5→a4).
4. Best move: c3 — pawn c2→c3. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b4→b3).
5. Best move: a3 — pawn a2→a3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/4k3/R3P3/p3r3/1pp1pKp1/6P1/PPP5/8 b - - 1 39

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