Chess Puzzle #CEH3w — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king c2; rook a1; pawns c3/e3/e5/h6. Black: king e7; rook b8; pawns c4/d5/e6/f7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh8 — rook b8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra7+ — rook a1→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king e7→d8).
3. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d8→c7).
4. Best move: Rxh8 — rook a8→h8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame, skewer. The key move is Ra7+.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/4kp2/4p2P/3pP3/2p5/2P1P3/2K5/R7 b - - 2 43

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