Chess Puzzle #2bPHI — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g1; rook f8; pawns b4/g4/h5. Black: king e6; rook e5; pawns a6/b5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re4 — rook e5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook f8→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd5 (king e6→d5).
3. Best move: Rxe4 — rook e8→e4, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxe4 (king d5→e4, captures rook).
4. Best move: g5 — pawn g4→g5. Opponent replies hxg5 (pawn h6→g5, captures pawn).
5. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, rook endgame, very long. The key move is Re8+.

Position data

FEN: 5R2/8/p3k2p/1p2r2P/1P4P1/8/8/6K1 b - - 1 39

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