Chess Puzzle #76Qun — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d2; rook h7; pawns b2/c2/e4/e7. Black: king d7; rook e8; pawns a4/b5/e5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe7 — rook e8→e7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe7+ — rook h7→e7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe7 (king d7→e7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Kc3 — king d2→c3. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e7→d6).
4. Best move: Kb4 — king c3→b4. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a4→a3).
5. Best move: bxa3 — pawn b2→a3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/3kP2R/8/1p2p3/p3P3/8/1PPK4/8 b - - 2 31

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