Chess Puzzle #2dmzb — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g4; rook a2; pawns f4/g3/h6. Black: king b4; rook b3; pawns a4/c4/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c3 — pawn c4→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: h7 — pawn h6→h7. Opponent replies Rb2 (rook b3→b2).
3. Best move: Rxb2+ — rook a2→b2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies cxb2 (pawn c3→b2, captures rook).
4. Best move: h8=Q — pawn h7→h8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies Kb3 (king b4→b3).
5. Best move: Qh1 — queen h8→h1. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a4→a3).
6. Best move: Qd5+ — queen h1→d5, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxb2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/6pP/8/pkp2PK1/1r4P1/R7/8 b - - 0 42

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