White to move. How should white proceed?
Source: ChessToday.net
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Endgame chess tactic
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White to move. How should white proceed?
Source: ChessToday.net
rh8
Black’s king is in the wrong spot. White can play Rh8 immediately- if black takes the pawn at a7, white skewers from h7. Otherwise, white will queen at a8 and still win the black rook.
Well, 1. Rh8 (threatening 2. a8=Q RxQ 3. RxR) Rxa7 (checking the White king is useless, since it can always hide on h2) 2. Rh7+ K moves 3. Rxa7 comes to mind . . . .
1.Rh8 (threatening 2.a8=Q)
1…. Rxa7
2.Rh7+ K ~
3.Rxa7 White is a R up.
1. Rh8 1-0 (1. … Rxa7 2. Rh7+)
1. Rh8
1…….. Rxa7 2. Rh7+ black looses rook
1……..Kg7. 2. a8=Q Rxa8 3. Rxa8 white wins
1.Rh8!!.Rxa7.2.Rh7+.~3.Rxa7 winning easily being a R up!
1. Rh3
If 1 …. RxR, 2 gxR and ‘a’ pawn Queens.
If 1 ….Rxa7, 2 Rh7+ wins rook at a7. Soon black’s f pawn also falls.
If 1…. f3, 2 Rxf3+, and wins roo
k or atleast exchanges Rooks, allowing ‘a’ pawn to Queen.
If 1 …. Kf6 or any other King move, 2 RxR as black rook is unprotected.
Rh8
if Rxa7 then Rh7 wins the Rook
if Kg7 approaching the R then a8=Q
if Ra2+ K walks to take the g pawn and then retreats to h2 (sheltered by the g pawn from further checks)
Black is just failing by one tempo. If his K were at g7 he could have saved the game.White R on Q side would also have saved him.White R on 7th rank can not generate any threat as black can not be forced to leave 3rd rank for white K to penetrate as black K will have at least two safe positions.
Now however white can make move like 1.Rh3 and still correct to 2.Rh8 without any damage.
Rh8
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“White can make move like 1.Rh3 and still correct to 2.Rh8 without any damage”
Unfortunately, no. 1. Rh3 Ra2+ 2. Kf3 Kg7 and the a pawn falls. So does Black’s f pawn, but Black should be able to draw that ending without much trouble.
Bob,
Thanks. I realized my mistake after I posted the comment. It was too casual assuming black had to move his R with no time for Kg7 but overlooked the check.