Chess Puzzle #MASz6 — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d2; rook c3; pawns a2/f2/f3/h4. Black: king f4; rook h1; pawns c4/c5/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh4 — rook h1→h4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc4+ — rook c3→c4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg5 (king f4→g5).
3. Best move: Rxh4 — rook c4→h4, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxh4 (king g5→h4, captures rook).
4. Best move: a4 — pawn a2→a4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move Rxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/2p4p/2p2k1P/2R2P2/P2K1P2/7r b - - 1 42

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