Chess Puzzle #4xem5 — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king e5; rook e8; pawns c7/h4. Black: king g7; rook d3; pawns e3/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc3 — rook d3→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c8=Q — pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook c3→c8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc8 — rook e8→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies e2 (pawn e3→e2).
4. Best move: Rc1 — rook c8→c1.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, promotion. The key move is c8=Q.

Position data

FEN: 4R3/2P2pkp/6p1/4K3/7P/3rp3/8/8 b - - 4 51

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