Chess Puzzle #5ccn1 — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d1; rook a8; pawn a7. Black: king h4; rook a3; pawns e4/f4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (9 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f3 — pawn f4→f3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook a8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king h4→g3).
3. Best move: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies Rxa8 (rook a3→a8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxa8 — rook h8→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g3→f2).
5. Best move: Ra2+ — rook a8→a2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f2→g1).
6. Best move: Ra1 — rook a2→a1. Opponent replies e3 (pawn e4→e3).
7. Best move: Kc2+ — king d1→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
8. Best move: Kd3 — king c2→d3. Opponent replies f2 (pawn f3→f2).
9. Best move: Ke2 — king d3→e2. Opponent replies f1=R (pawn f2→f1, promotes to rook).
10. Best move: Rxf1 — rook a1→f1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, clearance, crushing, discovered attack, endgame, promotion, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move is Rh8+.

Position data

FEN: R7/P7/8/8/4pp1k/r7/8/3K4 b - - 0 43

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