Chess Puzzle #X0JCj — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g7; rook g1; pawns c4/h7. Black: king c6; rook h2; pawns a3/c5/c7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: h8=Q — pawn h7→h8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies Rxh8 (rook h2→h8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Kxh8 — king g7→h8, captures rook. Opponent replies Kb6 (king c6→b6).
4. Best move: Ra1 — rook g1→a1. Opponent replies Ka5 (king b6→a5).
5. Best move: Rxa2+ — rook a1→a2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb4 (king a5→b4).
6. Best move: Rc2 — rook a2→c2.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, promotion, very long. The key move Rxa2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p3KP/2k5/2p5/2P5/p7/7r/6R1 b - - 1 41

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