Chess Puzzle #TxCwo — Master, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king d3; rook e4; pawns a4/d5/e3. Black: king g8; rook a1; pawns a6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (8 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc4 — king d3→c4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxa4+ — rook a1→a4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd3 (king c4→d3).
3. Best move: Rxe4 — rook a4→e4, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxe4 (king d3→e4, captures rook).
4. Best move: Kf7 — king g8→f7. Opponent replies Ke5 (king e4→e5).
5. Best move: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e5→d6).
6. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies Kc6 (king d6→c6).
7. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Opponent replies d6 (pawn d5→d6).
8. Best move: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Opponent replies d7 (pawn d6→d7).
9. Best move: a1=Q — pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxa4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/7p/p5p1/3P4/P3R3/3KP3/8/r7 w - - 1 48

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