Chess Puzzle #1sH03 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king e4; rook a6; pawns c4/g2/h3. Black: king c6; rook f5; pawns a5/e6/f7/g5/h4. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc5 — king c6→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa5+ — rook a6→a5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc4 (king c5→c4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rxf5 — rook a5→f5, captures rook. Opponent replies exf5+ (pawn e6→f5, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxf5 — king e4→f5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd3 (king c4→d3).
5. Best move: Kxg5 — king f5→g5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ke3 (king d3→e3).
6. Best move: Kxh4 — king g5→h4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxa5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/R1k1p3/p4rp1/2P1K2p/7P/6P1/8 b - - 3 43

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