Chess Puzzle #1vMie — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f3; rook c5; pawns a5/f4/h4. Black: king b7; rook e8; pawns d5/e6/f6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook e8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a6+ — pawn a5→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king b7→b8).
3. Best move: a7+ — pawn a6→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa7 (king b8→a7, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rxc8 — rook c5→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long, rook endgame. The key move is a6+.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/1k5p/4ppp1/P1Rp4/5P1P/5K2/8/8 b - - 1 52

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