Chess Puzzle #NUpo5 — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king a6; rook h7; knight d5; pawns c4/h6. Black: king b8; rook c1; knight a5; pawns a7/b2. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook c1→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c4→c8).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook h8→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc8 (king b8→c8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Nc3 — knight d5→c3. Opponent replies Nc6 (knight a5→c6).
5. Best move: h7 — pawn h6→h7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/p6R/K6P/n2N4/2P5/8/1p6/2r5 b - - 13 52

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