Chess Puzzle #L70og — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king a4; pawns a3/b4/c5. Black: king d2; rook b8; pawn a5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra8 — rook b8→a8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook a8→c8).
3. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies Rxc5 (rook c8→c5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7. Opponent replies Kd3 (king d2→d3).
5. Best move: b8=Q — pawn b7→b8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move is b5.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/8/8/p1P5/KP6/P7/3k4/8 b - - 10 61

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