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

Position

White: king f3; rook d8; pawns g3/h4. Black: king d5; rook d4; pawns e2/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (8 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc4 — king d5→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd4+ — rook d8→d4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd4 (king c4→d4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Kxe2 — king f3→e2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ke4 (king d4→e4).
4. Best move: Kf2 — king e2→f2. Opponent replies Ke5 (king e4→e5).
5. Best move: Ke3 — king f2→e3. Opponent replies g5 (pawn g6→g5).
6. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies g4 (pawn g5→g4).
7. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6. Opponent replies Kf6 (king e5→f6).
8. Best move: Kf4 — king e3→f4. Opponent replies Kg6 (king f6→g6).
9. Best move: Kxg4 — king f4→g4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/8/6p1/3k4/3r3P/5KP1/4p3/8 b - - 1 66

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