Chess Puzzle #1Chab — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king b6; rook g1; pawns c4/g4. Black: king f4; rook h4; pawns a5/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg4 — rook h4→g4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg4+ — rook g1→g4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg4 (king f4→g4, captures rook).
3. Best move: c5 — pawn c4→c5. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a5→a4).
4. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Opponent replies Kh4 (king g4→h4).
5. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a4→a3).
6. Best move: c8=Q — pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxg4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1K5p/p5p1/2P2kPr/8/8/6R1 b - - 2 49

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