Chess Puzzle #Srm85 — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d3; rook e3; pawns a3/c3/h4. Black: king g4; rook f2; pawns a4/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (9 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf3 — rook f2→f3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf3 — rook e3→f3, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxf3 (king g4→f3, captures rook).
3. Best move: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Opponent replies Kf4 (king f3→f4).
4. Best move: c5 — pawn c4→c5. Opponent replies Ke5 (king f4→e5).
5. Best move: Kc4 — king d3→c4. Opponent replies g5 (pawn g6→g5).
6. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e5→d6).
7. Best move: hxg5 — pawn h4→g5, captures pawn. Opponent replies h4 (pawn h5→h4).
8. Best move: g6 — pawn g5→g6. Opponent replies h3 (pawn h4→h3).
9. Best move: g7 — pawn g6→g7. Opponent replies h2 (pawn h3→h2).
10. Best move: g8=Q — pawn g7→g8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxf3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/6p1/7p/p5kP/P1PKR3/5r2/8 b - - 7 53

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