Chess Puzzle #Apj98 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f1; rook d5; pawns b5/g7. Black: king e3; rook a4; pawns d2/e4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd4 — rook a4→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d5→d4, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxd4 (king e3→d4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ke2 — king f1→e2. Opponent replies d1=Q+ (pawn d2→d1, promotes to queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxd1 — king e2→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move Rxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/6P1/8/1P1R4/r3p3/4k3/3p4/5K2 b - - 0 53

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