Chess Puzzle #17v9c — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king e5; rook a3; pawns a7/h5. Black: king b6; rook a8; pawns e6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa7 — rook a8→a7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa7 — rook a3→a7, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxa7 (king b6→a7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Kxe6 — king e5→e6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kb6 (king a7→b6).
4. Best move: Kf7 — king e6→f7. Opponent replies g5 (pawn g7→g5).
5. Best move: hxg6 — pawn h5→g6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, en passant, endgame, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxa7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r7/P5p1/1k2p2p/4K2P/8/R7/8/8 b - - 20 67

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