Chess Puzzle #n6ljH — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f4; rook e4; pawns c4/g4. Black: king c5; rook a4; pawn a5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook a4→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc4+ — rook e4→c4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc4 (king c5→c4, captures rook).
3. Best move: g5 — pawn g4→g5. Opponent replies Kd5 (king c4→d5).
4. Best move: g6 — pawn g5→g6. Opponent replies Ke6 (king d5→e6).
5. Best move: Kg5 — king f4→g5. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a5→a4).
6. Best move: Kh6 — king g5→h6. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a4→a3).
7. Best move: g7 — pawn g6→g7. Opponent replies Kf7 (king e6→f7).
8. Best move: Kh7 — king h6→h7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/p1k5/r1P1RKP1/8/8/8 b - - 10 61

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