White to move. What is the best continuation for White? No computer please! 🙂
8/3P4/R7/4P3/8/1k6/p3r3/K7 w – – 0 0
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Tough Rook and Pawn Endgame
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First move is forced : 1.Rb6+ Ka3 2.Rb1! Rd2
[If 2…axb1Q+ 3.Kxb1+- One of the two Pawns promotes. 3…Kb3 4.Kc1]
3.e6 axb1B 4.Kxb1 Kb3 5.Kc1 (Promotion is inevitable.) 5…Kc3 6.e7+- Rxd7 7.e8Q
pharaoh is right. Here is another importaint line:
1.Rb6+ Ka3
2.Rb1 axb1Q+
3.Kxb1 Kb3
4.Kc1 Kc3
5.d8Q Re1+
6.Qd1 Rxd1+
7.Kxd1 and the e pawn cant be stopped.
Tobe
YES computer! Yes! I love my computer, even more than this blog. Pharaon is right, by the way, my compy baby agrees.
Good puzzle. The key to this one is to remember that linked pawns on the sixth rank defeat a rook, provided the enemy king is far enough away.
In this case, the one pawn is on the 7th rank, and one on the 5th which is equivalent in this case, as either the d pawn promotes, or the e pawn gets to protect its buddy via e6.
So although white’s position looks precarious (mate threat) s/he can comfortably sac a rook to win the game.
1.Rb6+ Ka3 (if Black moves to the c-file, then Rc6+ … Rc1) 2.Rb1 Rd2 (axb1Q+ 3.Kxb1 and a pawn promotes) 3.e6 … White’s pawns are secure.
(jhiant)
“if Black moves to the c-file, then Rc6+ … Rc1)”
Why not d8Q if black moves to the c file?
After that there is no mate left…
Regards
Jochen
I agree:
1. Rb6+! Ka3 is the only choice.
1. … Kc3 leads to immediate d8=Q
At least 1. … Ka3 is a fight.
Many players lack Q versus R skills.
This is still 30 + moves if
best play versus best play.
Thanks… excellent puzzle.
Peter / chesstoplay