Chess Puzzle #8sbIM — Master, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king d4; rook c5; pawns a4/c4/f4/g5. Black: king e6; rook e1; pawns a7/b7/c6/g6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re5+ — rook c5→e5, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe5 — rook e1→e5, captures rook. Opponent replies fxe5 (pawn f4→e5, captures rook).
3. Best move: b6 — pawn b7→b6. Opponent replies Ke4 (king d4→e4).
4. Best move: a6 — pawn a7→a6. Opponent replies Kd4 (king e4→d4).
5. Best move: Kf5 — king e6→f5. Opponent replies c5 (pawn c4→c5).
6. Best move: b5 — pawn b6→b5. Opponent replies e6 (pawn e5→e6).
7. Best move: Kxe6 — king f5→e6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move Rxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp6/2p1k1p1/2R3P1/P1PK1P2/8/8/4r3 w - - 1 42

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