Chess Puzzle #2HSy5 — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f6; rook h5; pawn e7. Black: king b4; rook e3; pawn a5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re5 — rook h5→e5. Opponent replies Rxe5 (rook e3→e5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Kxe5 — king f6→e5, captures rook. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a4→a3).
4. Best move: e8=Q — pawn e7→e8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies a2 (pawn a3→a2).
5. Best move: Qa8 — queen e8→a8.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, rook endgame, very long. The key move is Re5.

Position data

FEN: 8/4P3/5K2/p6R/1k6/4r3/8/8 b - - 0 59

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