Chess Puzzle #IE8rq — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king g4; rook f7; pawns e5/f4/h7. Black: king a7; rook h1; pawns a4/b7/e6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg5 — king g4→g5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Opponent replies Rc7 (rook f7→c7).
3. Best move: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Opponent replies h8=Q (pawn h7→h8, promotes to queen).
4. Best move: Rxh8 — rook h1→h8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move is a3.

Position data

FEN: 8/kp3R1P/4p3/4P3/p4PK1/8/8/7r w - - 0 37

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