Chess Puzzle #1wleE — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g2; rook c4; pawns a4/f2/g3. Black: king g4; rook b2; pawns a5/e4/f5/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb4 — rook b2→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb4 — rook c4→b4, captures rook. Opponent replies axb4 (pawn a5→b4, captures rook).
3. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b4→b3).
4. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies b2 (pawn b3→b2).
5. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies b1=Q (pawn b2→b1, promotes to queen).
6. Best move: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, equality, promotion, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/p4pp1/P1R1p1k1/6P1/1r3PK1/8 b - - 3 54

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