Chess Puzzle #d0T0N — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d4; rook e4; pawns b4/h4. Black: king c7; rook g5; pawns a7/b5/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (8 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg4 — rook g5→g4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg4 — rook e4→g4, captures rook. Opponent replies hxg4 (pawn h5→g4, captures rook).
3. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies g3 (pawn g4→g3).
4. Best move: Ke3 — king d4→e3. Opponent replies g2 (pawn g3→g2).
5. Best move: Kf2 — king e3→f2. Opponent replies a5 (pawn a7→a5).
6. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6. Opponent replies g1=Q+ (pawn g2→g1, promotes to queen, gives check).
7. Best move: Kxg1 — king f2→g1, captures queen. Opponent replies axb4 (pawn a5→b4, captures pawn).
8. Best move: h7 — pawn h6→h7. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b4→b3).
9. Best move: h8=Q — pawn h7→h8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxg4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1k5/8/1p4rp/1P1KR2P/8/8/8 b - - 0 49

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