Chess Puzzle #80BdC — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king b7; rook e8; pawn a7. Black: king d5; rook a1; pawns e2/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g7→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies Rxa8 (rook a1→a8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Kxa8 — king b7→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies e1=Q (pawn e2→e1, promotes to queen).
4. Best move: Rxe1 — rook e8→e1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, promotion. The key move is a8=Q.

Position data

FEN: 4R3/PK4p1/8/3k4/8/8/4p3/r7 b - - 1 53

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