Chess Puzzle #6moYK — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king a3; rook e5; pawns a4/b2. Black: king c5; rook d4; pawns a5/b5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd5 — rook d4→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd5+ — rook e5→d5, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd5 (king c5→d5, captures rook).
3. Best move: axb5 — pawn a4→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kc5 (king d5→c5).
4. Best move: Ka4 — king a3→a4. Opponent replies Kb6 (king c5→b6).
5. Best move: b3 — pawn b2→b3. Opponent replies Kc5 (king b6→c5).
6. Best move: Kxa5 — king a4→a5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move Rxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/ppk1R3/P2r4/K7/1P6/8 b - - 1 46

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