Chess Puzzle #cx96w — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g5; rook f7; pawns f5/h5. Black: king h7; rook a6; pawns a7/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf6 — rook a6→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf6 — rook f7→f6, captures rook. Opponent replies gxf6+ (pawn g7→f6, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf6 — king g5→f6, captures pawn. Opponent replies a5 (pawn a7→a5).
4. Best move: Ke5 — king f6→e5. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a5→a4).
5. Best move: Kd4 — king e5→d4. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a4→a3).
6. Best move: Kc3 — king d4→c3. Opponent replies a2 (pawn a3→a2).
7. Best move: Kb2 — king c3→b2. Opponent replies a1=R (pawn a2→a1, promotes to rook).
8. Best move: Kxa1 — king b2→a1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxf6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p4Rpk/r7/5PKP/8/8/8/8 b - - 2 40

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