[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Passed Pawn"]
[Black "Foreword"]
[Result "*"]

{ Welcome to Thematic Tactics: Rook Endgames!   Rook endgames are the most frequent endgames which makes them one of the most important study objects in chess. Aside from typical technical solutions there are thematic tactics. We collected more than 100 problems, compiled five chapters with typical themes, one chapter with several different motifs, followed by two test chapters and a bonus test with extra hard problems. Learning endgame theory  (Philidor, Lucena, Vancura)  is only part of understanding a topic, sharpening the tactical vision is almost as important.  A few words on our approach to finding good and interesting positions. We've developed technology and sophisticated algorithms to automatically find correct and interesting puzzles for various topics. We handpick the best ones and refine the solutions. That means these puzzles are carefully selected by their relevance and cover all frequently occurring tactics. All puzzles have a clear and carefully checked solution.   Enjoy! }
1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Passed Pawn"]
[Black "Introduction"]
[Result "*"]

{ This chapter deals with examples in which at least one side has a far advanced passed pawn. There are several typical tactical motifs to help promote the own passer. From a practical point of view, these motifs are some of the most important endgame motifs at all. You should be familiar with them. }
1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Passed Pawn"]
[Black "Mandery, Markus(2159) vs. Mayer, Frank(2329)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "2k5/8/8/6P1/8/8/1p3RK1/1r6 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rg1+ 2. Kxg1 b1=Q+ *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Passed Pawn"]
[Black "Ernst, Sipke(2300) vs. De Wolf, Johan(2185)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "2r3k1/2P2ppp/4p3/p2p4/3P1P2/P7/5P1P/2R3K1 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rb1 { and there is no defense against Rb8 } *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Passed Pawn"]
[Black "Filippov, Valerij(2510) vs. Shtanchaev, A.(2405)."]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/PR6/4p3/r2k1ppp/4p3/4P1P1/3K1P1P/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rb5+ Rxb5 2. a8=Q+ *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Passed Pawn"]
[Black "Trifunovic, Dusan(2012) vs. Moskow, Eric(2248)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/R7/1pkp2P1/5K1P/2r5/8/p7/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rc5+
{ 56...Rc2 ?  simply loses as Black won't be able to hold the white passed pawns.  57.g7  +- }
2. Kf4 Ra5
{ The typical barricade on the file of the passer. The queen ending after   58.Rxa5  bxa5  59.g7  a1Q  is drawn. }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Passed Pawn"]
[Black "Hristov, Dimitar(1824) vs. Mitushev, Adrian(1229)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "3r4/pp3kpp/5p2/2p5/3p4/2P3P1/PP3PKP/3R4 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1... dxc3 2. Rxd8 c2 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Passed Pawn"]
[Black "Vea, Odin Blikra(2031) vs. Adnoy, Hallvard Voll(2211)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/P2k4/7R/2p5/3p1PK1/1Pp5/2P4P/r7 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

{ This manouever is worth remembering. } 1. Rh8 Rxa7 2. Rh7+ Kc6 3. Rxa7 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Passed Pawn"]
[Black "Berebora, Ferenc(2410) vs. Kulagin, Alexander(2265)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "5k2/5p1p/p1PRp1p1/8/8/2K5/P5PP/1r6 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Kd2 { 38.Kc2  Rb5 = } 1... Rb2+
{ 38...Rb8  39.c7  Rc8  40.Rd8+  +-   38...Ke7  39.c7  +- } 2. Kd3
{ and Black isn't able to stop the c-pawn. } *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Passed Pawn"]
[Black "Shaw, John K(2470) vs. Grill, Marc(2143)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "2k5/1p4pp/p1p2p2/4P3/2r2P2/2P1K3/P2R2PP/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. e6 f5 2. Rd4 Rxd4 { 32...Rxc3+  33.Kd2  +-  and e7 +- } 3. Kxd4 Kc7 4. Ke5
{ White will, for example, pick up the f5-pawn and then deal with Black's queenside. }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exchange"]
[Black "Introduction"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/5pk1/5r2/5R2/5K2/8/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

{ The question might arise if it is advisable to exchange the rooks. In this chapter, we deal with a few examples in which you have to judge if the trade into a pawn endgame is the best course of action. Sometimes, it's not only about the "if", but also about the "when" and "how". }
1... -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exchange"]
[Black "Puigvert Vigo, Lluis(1493) vs. Adrian, Louise"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/pp6/5k2/4Rp2/P1P2K2/1r6/8/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rf3+ 2. Kxf3 Kxe5 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exchange"]
[Black "Spielmann, Rudolf vs. Duras, Oldrich"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/5pk1/5r2/5R2/5K2/8/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Kg5 { Not the immediate   1...Rxf4+ ?  2.Kxf4 = } 2. Rxf5+ Kxf5 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exchange"]
[Black "Ilczuk, Piotr(2320) vs. Pisulinski, Jan(2390)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/1p3p2/p7/3kp2p/PP6/3K1P1R/2P2r1P/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rxf3+ 2. Rxf3 e4+ *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exchange"]
[Black "Wawrzyniak, Weronika vs. Winter, Anna"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/4r3/6k1/3KR1pp/8/6P1/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rh6
{ 57...Rxe4+  58.Kxe4  g3  59.Kf3  Kf5  60.Ke2  Ke4  61.Kf1  Ke3  62.Kg1 =   57...Rf6  -+   57...Ra6  is only a draw according to the tablebase  58.Ke3  Ra2  59.Re5+  Kh6  60.Re6+  Kg7  61.g3  h3  62.Re4  Ra3+  63.Kf2  Rf3+  64.Kg1  Rxg3+  65.Kh2  Rg2+  66.Kh1  Kg6  67.Re6+  Kf5  68.Re5+ = }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exchange"]
[Black "Mjasoedov, Gleb(2176) vs. Smoljarov, Sergey"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/2R5/p5pp/8/1rpk2PP/1P3K2/P7/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rxc4+ Rxc4 2. bxc4 a5
{ 49...g5  50.h5  a5  51.c5  Kxc5  52.Ke4  Kb4  53.Kf5  Ka3  54.Kg6  Kxa2  55.Kxh6  a4  56.Kxg5  a3  57.h6  Kb1  58.h7  a2  59.h8=Q  +-   49...Kxc4  50.Ke4  Kc3  51.Ke5  a5  52.Kf6  +- }
3. Kf4 a4 4. g5
{ 51.h5  gxh5  52.gxh5  Kxc4 =   51.c5  is too early  Kxc5  52.Ke5   52.g5  hxg5+  53.Kxg5  Kb4  54.Kxg6  Ka3  55.h5  Kxa2  56.h6  a3  57.h7  Kb1  58.h8=Q  a2 =  52...Kb4  53.Kf6  g5 !  54.hxg5  hxg5  55.Kxg5  Ka3  56.Kf4  Kxa2  57.g5  a3  58.g6  Kb2  59.g7  a2  60.g8=Q  a1=Q = }
4... h5 5. c5
{ After   52...Kxc5  53.Ke5  Kb4  54.Kf6  Ka3  55.Kxg6  Kxa2  56.Kxh5  a3  57.g6  White can trade the promoted queens and reach a won pawn endgame, e.g.  57...Kb2  58.g7  a2  59. g8Q a1Q  60.Qg7+  +- }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exchange"]
[Black "Motyl, Tomasz(2039) vs. Sikorska, Dorota(1884)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/1p6/8/8/6pP/1Pr3k1/P2RK1P1/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rd3+ Rxd3 2. Kxd3 Kxg2 { 46...Kxh4  47.Ke4  Kg3  48.Kf5  +- } 3. h5
{ 47.Ke2  wins, too.  47...g3  48.h5  Kh2  49.h6  g2  50.h7  g1Q  51. h8Q+ +- }
3... Kf2
{ 47...Kf1  48.h6  g3  49.h7  The queens get traded here, too  49...g2  50. h8Q g1Q  51.Qa1+  +- }
4. h6 g3 5. h7
{ followed by a trade of queens with   49...g2  50. h8Q g1Q  51.Qd4+  +- } *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exchange"]
[Black "Satta, Vladimiro(2290) vs. Milov, Vadim(2410)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/1p2kr2/p1p5/P1P1PRp1/1P2K3/8/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1... Rg6
{ Here, the rook exchange   48...Rxf4  49.Kxf4  +-  would lead to a won pawn endgame for White. }
2. Rf8 { 49.Kf2  Ke5  50.Kg3  Kd4  -+  and the black king infiltrates. } 2...
g3 { The black king will enter via e5-d4-c3 } *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exchange"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne vs. Mohebbi, Jaffar(2300)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/4r2p/3k1p2/3p4/p1p2PP1/P4K1P/1P2R3/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rxe7 Kxe7 2. Ke3 Kd6 3. Kd4 h6 4. h4
{ with the idea g5. Then the black king will have to deal with the passed pawn, and White can collect on the queenside. }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exchange"]
[Black "Kotzian, Ewald vs. Bornschein, Constantin"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "5k2/p6p/8/3p2p1/3Pp3/4P3/PKR2rPP/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

{ Should Black trade the rooks? } 1... Rf1
{ No!   35...Rxc2+ ??  36.Kxc2  Ke7  37.Kc3  Kd6  38.Kb4  Kc6  39.Ka5  +-   35...Rf5 =   35...Rf6 =   35...Rf7 = }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exchange"]
[Black "Zude, Arno(2395) vs. Zaiatz, Elena(2240)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/1k4pp/8/Ppp1p3/2prP2P/5PP1/2P1K3/3R4 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rxd4
{ The pawn ending is won for White because Black can't deal with the two passers on the a- and e-file at the same time. }
1... cxd4 2. f4 Ka6 { 42...exf4  43.gxf4  +- } 3. fxe5 Kxa5 4. e6 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Breakthrough"]
[Black "Introduction"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/k4p1p/5P1P/K5P1/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

{ Sometimes, the pressing side has a hard time to convert an advantage because the opponents' side seems to be solid. It's not easy to break through. Here are few examples in which drastic measures are applied to let the king finally enter decisively or get a winning passer. }
1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Breakthrough"]
[Black "Boccalatte, Piero vs. Fournier, Carolie"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "5k2/1R5p/7P/6P1/6P1/8/1p5K/1r6 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. g6 { Not   59.Rxh7 ??  Rh1+  -+ } *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Breakthrough"]
[Black "Strbac, Mladen(2288) vs. Becelic, Dejan(2099)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/3k2p1/6P1/5P2/5K2/5R2/8/r7 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. f6 gxf6 2. g7 Rg1
{ 65...Ra8  doesn't save Black as he can't stop White's king from entering  66.Kf5  Ke7  67.Kg6  +-  followed by Re3+ and Kf7 }
3. Rg3 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Breakthrough"]
[Black "Sanchis Calabuig, JC.. vs. Pous Bargues, Jose Manuel"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "R7/5p1k/4pP2/4P2p/3P4/3K4/1r5P/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. d5 exd5 2. e6 fxe6 3. f7 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Breakthrough"]
[Black "Zubov, Oleksander vs. Berezin, Viktor(2330)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "2R5/4r3/4k2p/5pp1/1P2p3/4P1P1/1K5P/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

f4 2. gxf4 gxf4 3. exf4 e3 4. Kc2
{ Black wins easily after   47.Rc1  e2  48.Re1  Kf5  49.Kc3  Kxf4  -+ } 4... e2
{ 47...Kd7?  48.Ra8  e2  49.Ra7+  +- } 5. Kd2 e1=Q+ 6. Kxe1 Kd7+ *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Breakthrough"]
[Black "Chua Xing Jian, Graham(1966) vs. Gu Xiaobing(2361)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "3r4/5pkp/4p1p1/4P3/1p3P1P/2pP1KP1/2P5/R7 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rxd3+ 2. cxd3
{ More tenacious is   31.Kg4  , but after  h5+  32.Kh3  Rd4  33.Rb1  f6  -+  the black king will decisively enter the scene. }
2... b3
{ Two pawns on the sixth/third rank overpower a sole rook. There is no defense against b2 and c2.   31...c2  followed by b3 is winning, too. }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Breakthrough"]
[Black "Yildiz, Sefik vs. Belgin, Gurcan"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/3k2p1/2p2rPp/1p1p1P2/p2P2K1/2P2P2/7R/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rxh6 a3
{ 38...gxh6  39.g7  +-   38...Ke7  39.Rh7  Kf8  40.Rh8+  Ke7  41.Rg8  +-   38...Rf8  39.Rh7  Rg8  40.f6  a3  41.Rxg7+  Rxg7  42.fxg7  a2  43.g8=Q  a1=Q  44.Qf7+  Kd6  45.g7  Qg1+  46.Kf5  +- }
2. Rh7 a2 3. Rxg7+ Kd6 4. Ra7 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Breakthrough"]
[Black "Sternheimer, Erhard(2123) vs. Link, Ulrich(2121)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/6p1/p1r1pk2/2p3R1/Pp1p1P1P/1P1Pp3/2P3P1/6K1 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

c4 2. dxc4 { 47.bxc4  Rxc4  -+  is the same. } 2... Rxc4 3. bxc4 d3
{ 48...b3??  doesn't work the same as White can stop the pawns after  49.cxb3  d3  50.Kf1  +- }
4. cxd3 b3 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Breakthrough"]
[Black "Marian, Hartmut(2011) vs. Huber, Edwin(2054)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/4p3/6pp/k1pP1p2/1pP2P1P/1P1RK1P1/1r6 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rxb2 2. Rxb2 Ka3 3. Rb1 { 57.Rd2  b2  58.Rxb2  Kxb2  -+ } 3... Ka2
{ Not   57...b2??  58.Kd2  Ka2  59.Kc2  +- } 4. Re1 b2
{ The emerging pawn endgame is easily won for Black. } *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Checkmate"]
[Black "Introduction"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "k2R4/8/1K6/8/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

{ A common motif in rook endgames is a mating attack. This chapter contains examples in which mating patterns play a significant role. For more on mating themes in rook endgames, check out our book 'Thematic Tactics: Endgame Checkmates'. }
1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Checkmate"]
[Black "Kopacz, Grzegorz(2294) vs. Jurcisin, Imrich(2127)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/5p2/6p1/4p2p/4k3/r3P1PP/P2RKP2/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. g4 { Black's king got trapped in a mating net. } 1... hxg4 2. hxg4 f5 3. f3#
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Checkmate"]
[Black "Mione, Dario(2254) vs. Barlocco, Carlo(2192)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/p1r5/5R2/1p4pp/2p3k1/1P4P1/P4P2/5K2 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Kg2 h4 2. f3+ Kh5 3. g4# *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Checkmate"]
[Black "Halldorsson, Jon Arni(2214) vs. Ingason, Sigurdur(1924)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/p1Rrp1pp/1p2k3/1P4PP/P3K3/5P2/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. f4+
{ Exchanging into a pawn ending doesn't win.   30.Rxd6  Kxd6  31.Ke4  e5  32.h5  gxh5  33.gxh5  Ke6 = }
1... Kd5 2. Rc5# *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Checkmate"]
[Black "Rasik, Vitezslav(2415) vs. Gyimesi, Zoltan(2390)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "3R4/7P/3p4/p1p5/P7/KP6/2k4r/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Kb1 2. h8=Q Ra2# *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Checkmate"]
[Black "Delai, Paula Fernanda(2022) vs. Cruz, Arquias Sofocles(181"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/2R5/2p1k3/5p1p/2PK4/7r/1P6/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Kd6 2. Rc8 { 38.Rh7  c5# } 2... c5+ 3. Rxc5 Rh4+ { 39...Rd3+  wins, too. } *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Checkmate"]
[Black "Bakalarz, Adrian(1270) vs. Schwarz, Rene(1020)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/R7/6pk/p4r2/5P1P/7K/6P1/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. g4 Rb5 2. g5+ Kh5 3. Rh7# *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Checkmate"]
[Black "Neumann, Lutz(1815) vs. Krejci, Vera Marie(1438)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "r7/P3k3/4p3/RP1pK1p1/3P4/2P2P2/6PP/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rf8 { threatening Rf5# } 2. g4 Rxf3 3. a8=Q Re3# *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Checkmate"]
[Black "Duppel, Matthias(2440) vs. Volke, Karsten(2457)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/8/4p1pp/4Rp2/3k1P1P/1r4P1/5K2 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rb1+ 2. Kf2 g4 3. hxg4 hxg4 4. g3 { 61.Rxe5  g3# } 4... Rb2+ 5. Kf1 gxf3 6.
Rxe5 fxg3 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Stalemate"]
[Black "Introduction"]
[Result "*"]

{ A less common, but still important motif is a stalemate defense. Here, we collected few tactics in which the defender was able to escape his fate. }
1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Stalemate"]
[Black "Hartmann, Gerald vs. Wolf, Volker(2315)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/5p2/5R2/7p/6kP/r5P1/5PK1/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rxg3+ *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Stalemate"]
[Black "Vorobiov, Evgeny E(2563) vs. Vitiugov, Nikita(2604)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/R7/8/8/1p6/p7/1r2k3/2K5 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rxa3 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Stalemate"]
[Black "Michiels, Bart(2459) vs. Galego, Luis(2500)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/6p1/5kP1/5P2/1p4P1/1P2RK2/8/6r1 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rxg4 2. Kxg4 { Stalemate   45.Re4  Rg5  46.Rxb4  Kxf5  is dead drawn, too. } *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Stalemate"]
[Black "Colas Longares, Rafael P(2230) vs. Gracia Suarez, Jesus"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "4k3/6p1/3p2Pp/3P1p2/1p3R2/8/p1r5/K7 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Re4+ Kd7 { 35...fxe4  Stalemate } 2. Re7+ { The black king can't hide. }
2... Kc8 3. Re8+ Kb7 { 37...Kc7  38.Rc8+  Kxc8 = } 4. Rb8+ Ka6 5. Rb6+ Kxb6 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Stalemate"]
[Black "Tseshkovsky, Vitaly(2495) vs. Minasian, Artashes(2535)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "4k3/3R2P1/4P3/6K1/4r3/8/8/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Re5+
{ Not   88...Rg4+ ?  White can bring his king to the queenside  89.Kf5  Rf4+  90.Ke5  Re4+  91.Kd5  Rd4+  92.Kc6  Rc4+  93.Kb7  Rb4+  94.Kc8  and force Black to give checks from the wrong side  Rb8+  95.Kc7  Rc8+  96.Kd6  Rc6+  97.Ke5  Rxe6+   97...Rc5+  98.Rd5  +-  98.Kf5  +- }
2. Kf6 Rf5+ 3. Kxf5 { Stalemate } *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Stalemate"]
[Black "Lomineishvili, Maia(2387) vs. Jirovsky, Milos(2458)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/kp6/2p5/K1Pp4/P2r4/6R1/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rb3
{ Black doesn't have a good defense against the stalemate threat Rxb7+. } 1...
Rd1 { 47...Rc4  48.Rxb7+  Kxb7 = } 2. Rb1 Rd2 3. Rb2 Rd3 4. Rb3 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Miscellaneous"]
[Black "Introduction"]
[Result "*"]

{ This chapter contains tactics which don't really fit in other thematic chapters. }
1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Miscellaneous"]
[Black "Zemerov, Eugenij vs. Andreev, Viktor(2258)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/1p3p1p/2p2k2/p7/r3P1R1/2P2P2/2PK4/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. e5+ Kxe5 2. Rxa4 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Miscellaneous"]
[Black "Bruk, Ofer(2452) vs. Karasik, Evgeni(2246)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "2R5/p1P1k2p/8/8/2r5/P7/6P1/4K3 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rh8 Rxc7 2. Rxh7+ Kd6 3. Rxc7 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Miscellaneous"]
[Black "Reverby, Miro vs. Vitaljic, Nebojsa(2240)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "7R/8/8/6k1/7p/4p1rP/7K/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rf8 { Leaving Black no room to improve.   52.Re8 ?  Kf4  -+ } 1... e2 2. Re8
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Miscellaneous"]
[Black "Heden, Gustav(2116) vs. Krzymowski, Alfred"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/1p2kpR1/pP1r3p/P6P/1K4P1/5P2/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Kf7 2. Rh6 Kg7 { The rook is trapped. } *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Miscellaneous"]
[Black "Wiertzema, Michael(2149) vs. Jaracz, Pawel(2546)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/6pp/1R6/P7/1rk5/8/2K5/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1... Rb5
{ and, a bit surprisingly, Black will end up with two pawns up. White isn't able to trade his a-pawn for one of Black's pawns, see e.g.   42.Ra6  Rg5  43.Ra8  Kb5  44.a6  Kb6  -+  followed by a push of the h-pawn.   41...Ra4?  42.Rb7 = }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Miscellaneous"]
[Black "Klinger, Josef(2445) vs. Meszaros, Andras(2345)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "r7/8/P7/8/1K2p1pp/3k4/R4PPP/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. g3
{ Before White continues on the queenside, he has to deny Black's counterplay.   35.a7 ?  g3 !  36.hxg3  hxg3  37.fxg3  e3 = }
1... hxg3 2. hxg3 { White's a-pawn decides the day. } *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Introduction"]
[Result "*"]

{ Welcome to the first test chapter. In both test chapters, you'll find 25 positions, testing if you remember the motives from the thematic chapters. Good luck ! }
1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Gutkowski, Marek vs. Dembinski, Bartosz"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "3r4/1p6/p1p2k2/P1P2p1p/1P1P1Kp1/4P1P1/3R4/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Re8 { There is no defense against Re4# } *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Shadrina, Tatiana(2342) vs. Tomilova, Elena(2210)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/4k3/p4r1P/Pp1RK3/2p5/2P5/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rd7+ Kxd7 2. Kxf6 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Antoniou, Antonis(2172) vs. Baules, Jorge(2335)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/1p3pp1/r1k1p1p1/8/PRKP4/7P/5PP1/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rxa4 2. Rxa4 b5+ 3. Kb4 bxa4 4. Kxa4 Kd5 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Drozdowski, Kacper(2508) vs. Brown, Michael William(2438"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/8/8/8/R2K4/2rp4/3k4 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Ke1 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Vamos, Viktor(2155) vs. Villarraga, David"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "5R2/1r1k4/4p3/4P3/5K2/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rf7+ Kc6 2. Rxb7 Kxb7 3. Kg5 Kc6 4. Kg6 { 43.Kf6 ??  Kd5  -+ } 4... Kc5
{ 43...Kd5  44.Kf6  +- } 5. Kf7 Kd5 6. Kf6 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Drezewski, Alexander(1755) vs. Rychlik, Kurt(2058)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "7k/6R1/4r2P/7K/6P1/8/8/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rxh6+ *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Chmeal, Andrey vs. Andreev, Eduard(2385)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/1k6/6Kp/7P/R7/pr6/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rb5+ 2. Kg6 Ra5 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Bayrak, Asli(2011) vs. Haug, Marianne Wold(2205)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/p3Kp2/4p1pp/1k3r2/4RP1P/5P2/P7/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Re5+ Kb4 2. Rxf5 exf5 3. Kxf7
{ After   61...Ka3  62.Kxg6  Kxa2  63.Kxh6  a5  64.h5  a4  65.Kg5  a3  66.h6  +-  White will be able to trade the promoted queens. }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Van Assendelft, Floris(2227) vs. Keizers, Robin"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/2RP4/p2r1kp1/1p6/P7/2P5/4K3/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rc6 Ke7 2. Rxd6 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Landa, Konstantin(2615) vs. Llaneza Vega, Marcos(2468)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/2r3P1/5K2/pk6/8/1p6/7R/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rxg7
{ The black passed pawns decide the day.  Not sufficient would be   68...Rc8 ?  69.Rh8  Rc6+  70.Ke5  Rg6  71.g8=Q  Rxg8  72.Rxg8 = }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Smaraglay, Botond(2080) vs. Farkas, Lajos(2190)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/5k2/3Kp3/5p2/5P1R/7P/4r3 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1... Rd1+ 2. Ke4
{ 55.Kc4  e4  56.fxe4  Ke5  and Black's f-pawn becomes too strong  57.Ra3   57.Rh8  Kxe4  -+   57.Rd3  Ra1  58.Rb3   58.Rd8  Rc1+  59.Kd3   59.Kb3  f3  60.Rf8  Kxe4  -+  59...Rd1+  -+  58...Kxe4  59.Kc3  f3  60.Kd2  f2  -+  57...Kxe4  -+ }
2... Rd4# *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Leonhardt, Paul Saladin vs. Marshall, Frank James"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/p7/5P2/8/2k5/r7/2pK1R2/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Ra1 2. Kxc2 Ra2+ *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Nguyen, Piotr(2446) vs. Polak, Tomas(2524)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/Rp1rk3/2p5/2K5/8/P7/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

b5+
{ Black might press a bit after   57...Rd4+  58.Kc3  Rb4  =+  but objectively, that endgame is drawn. }
2. Kxb5 Rxa6 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Greibrokk, Ingrid Andrea(1887) vs. Haugli, Petter(2257)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/8/p3kp1p/2K2RpP/1P4P1/4rP2/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Re4+ 2. Rxe4+
{ 42.Kb5  Rxf4  -+  as after  43.gxf4+  Kxf4  44.Kxa5  Kf3  45.b4  Kxf2  46.b5  g3  47.b6  g2  48.b7  g1Q  49. b8QQa1+  Black will be able to exchange the queens }
2... Kxe4 3. Kb5 Kf3 4. Kxa5 Kxf2 { After   45.b4  f4  -+  Black comes first. }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Khamrakulov, Dzhurabek(2509) vs. Nolte, Rolando(2420)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/7P/4R3/P7/8/2pk4/5KP1/7r w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Re3+ { 40.Rd6+  Ke4  41.Ke2  Rxh7 = } 1... Kd4 2. Rh3 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Mas, Hafizulhelmi(2415) vs. Baba, Masahiro(2189)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "3r2k1/8/3P1pp1/2R1P3/1p4P1/pP6/P5P1/7K w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. e6
{ 44.exf6  Rxd6 =  The weak a-pawn and a possible resulting strong black passer on the a-file make it impossible for White to play for an advantage here. }
1... Rxd6 2. Rc8+ Kg7 3. e7 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Erler, Klaus Juergen(1481) vs. Dirks, Rainer(1185)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/5p2/6pp/5k2/5P2/2R2KP1/r3P2P/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rc6 Ra3+ 2. e3 h5 3. h3 f6 4. g4+ hxg4+ 5. hxg4# *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Gabriel, Robert(2215) vs. Karolyi, Tibor Jr(2215)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "r5k1/1p3pp1/6p1/PP1p4/3P4/1p4PP/5P1K/R7 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rxa5 2. Rxa5 b2 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Mamedov, Rauf(2306) vs. Izoria, Zviad(2489)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/6k1/6p1/5p2/5P1K/5r2/6R1 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rxg5+ *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Rendle, Thomas(2382) vs. Berzinsh, Roland(2424)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/5k2/7P/3Rp1K1/5r2/8/5P2/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rd8 Rxf2 2. h7 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Haba, Petr(2502) vs. Voloshin, Leonid(2468)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "4r3/5R2/5Pp1/2kp3p/5P1P/5K2/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. f5
{ 41.Rg7  Rf8  42.Rxg6  Kc4 =  Black's d-pawn is too strong to let White think of playing for an advantage. }
1... gxf5 2. Kf4 Kd6
{ 42...Kc6  43.Ra7  d4  44.f7  Rf8   44...Rd8  45.Kxf5  +-  45.Kxf5  +- } 3.
Kxf5 Re5+ 4. Kg6 Re4 5. Rf8
{ Black can't stop the f-pawn.   45.Rh7  seems to win, too, while   45.Kxh5  Ke6  46.Rf8  Kf5  47.f7  Kf6 =  only leads to a draw. }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Terrie, Henry L(2157) vs. Tate, Emory(2377)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "2k5/pp6/3p4/2pRr3/2P3p1/2P4p/P4PPP/5K2 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1... Re1+ 2. Kxe1 hxg2 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Bangiev, Alexander(2432) vs. Krajina, Davor(2261)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/2R5/1p2r1p1/1P2kp1p/P6P/5KP1/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rc6
{ Yes, the pawn ending is won for White. After   49...Rxc6  50.bxc6  Kd6  51.Kf4  Kxc6  52.Kg5  Kc5  53.Kxg6  Kb4  54.Kxh5  Kxa4  55.Kg5  b5  56.h5  b4  57.h6  b3  58.h7  b2  59.h8=Q  b1=Q  60.Qa8+  +-  White will be able to exchange the queens. }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Chalupecky, Vladimir(1970) vs. Peniska, Pavel(1850)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "6k1/2R3P1/4p3/4P1K1/5P2/8/2p2r2/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. f5
{ Neither   68...Rxf5+  69.Kg6  +-  nor   68...exf5  69.Kf6  +-  with the idea Rc8+ save Black.  Not   68.Kg6  Rg2+ =  though, see the next position }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 1"]
[Black "Chalupecky, Vladimir(1970) vs. Peniska, Pavel(1850)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "6k1/2R3P1/4pK2/4P3/5P2/8/2p3r1/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1... Rg6+ { Not   69... c1Q?  70.Rxc1  Rg6+  71.Ke7!  +- } 2. Kxg6 c1=Q *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Introduction"]
[Result "*"]

{ The second test chapter again contains 25 exercises. This time the tactics are a bit more difficult. Good luck ! }
1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Duchov, A.. vs. Magerramov, Elmar(2565)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/p7/5k2/1P4pP/2KR2P1/3p2r1/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rxg3
{ The pawn endgame after   56.Kxd2  Rxd3+  57.Kxd3  Kg6  , followed by Kh5, is easily won for Black. }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Seps, Monika(2265) vs. Moser, Eva(2405)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/6k1/8/8/6Pp/3K2p1/P3RrP1/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1... h3 2. gxh3 g2 3. Rxf2 { 57.Re1  Rf1  -+ } 3... g1=Q
{ White won't be able to build a fortress. Her rook doesn't find a sufficient anchor, and Black will pick up the pawns one by one. }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Rode, Thomas(1920) vs. Ganslmayer, Herbert(1755)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "5r2/8/pR6/k1P3P1/1pK1p3/5p2/1PP5/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. c3 f2 { 41...b3  42.Rxb3  +-   41...bxc3  42.b4+  Ka4  43.Rxa6# } 2. cxb4+
Ka4 3. Rxa6# *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Chura, Jan(2215) vs. Varejcko, Josef(2340)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "4k3/2R4K/1r6/2p3P1/8/2p5/8/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rb7 { 52...Rb5  53.g6  c2  54.g7  +-  is too slow } 2. Rxb7 c2 3. g6 c1=Q
{ The queen ending after   55.g7  Qh1+  56.Kg6  Qxb7  57. g8Q+Kd7  is a tablebase win for Black. }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Petkovsek, G.. vs. Susnik, Matej(2255)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "7k/3R3P/4P3/6K1/8/8/8/r7 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1... Rg1+ 2. Kf6 Rg6+ { Not   76...Rf1+  77.Ke7  +- } 3. Kf7
{ 77.Ke5  Rxe6+  78.Kxe6 = } 3... Rf6+ 4. Kxf6 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Minasian, Artashes(2560) vs. Navara, David(2567)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/5k2/8/6R1/8/1p5r/5K2/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rh1 2. Rb5 b2 3. Rxb2 Rh2+ 4. Kf3 Rxb2 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Shvayger, Yuliya(2164) vs. Shankovsky, Andriy(2314)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/4Rpk1/6p1/4P1Kp/5P2/6P1/4r2P/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. e6 Rxe6 2. Rxe6 fxe6 3. h3 Kf7 { 49...Kh7  50.Kf6  +- } 4. Kh6 h4
{ 50...Kf6  51.g4  +- } 5. g4
{ It wasn't too late to spoil it by   51.gxh4 ?  Kf6  52.Kh7  Kf7 = } *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Sternheimer, Erhard(2123) vs. Link, Ulrich(2121)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "4r3/5k2/p5p1/4R1P1/Pp1p1P1P/1P1Pp1K1/2P5/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Re4
{ After   56...Rd8  57.Kg4  +-  White can create two connected passed pawns.   56.Rxe8  Kxe8 =  and White can't make decisive progress. }
1... Rxe4 2. dxe4 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Jansa, Vlastimil vs. Rublevsky, Sergey"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/8/r1p2pp1/2P2k2/2PK1P2/4R3/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Ra2 Rxa2 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Ballon, Guenther Jan(2205) vs. Skembris, Spyridon(2460)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "6k1/5p2/4p3/1R2P2p/p4P2/7P/1P2K1P1/1r6 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

a3 2. Ra5 axb2 3. Rb5 Rg1 4. Rxb2 Rxg2+ 5. Ke3 Rxb2 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Biolek, Richard Jr(2432) vs. Veleski, Robert(2284)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/1r5P/p1p5/k1P5/P1K5/8/7R b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rb3+ { Not   65...Rb8  66.h7  Rh8  67.Rh5  Kxa3  68.Rxc5  +- } 2. Kc2 Rh3
{ Incorrect would be   66...Rb2+  67.Kc1  +-  and there is no stalemate trick. }
3. Rxh3 { stalemate } *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Akopian, Vladimir(2706) vs. Shomoev, Anton(2492)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "r7/2KPk1p1/2R2p1p/p6P/2p2P2/6P1/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Ra6
{ 57...Rg8  doesn't save Black.  58.f5  with the idea Re6+ wins quickly. } *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Ivanov, Andrey A(2333) vs. Posokhov, Dmitry(2233)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "2k5/1pp2pp1/4P3/r4P2/6p1/4K3/8/3R4 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Ra1 Rxa1 { 39...Rxf5  40.Ra8#   39...fxe6  40.Rxa5  +- } 2. exf7 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Bezemer, Arno(2324) vs. Landa, Konstantin(2615)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/7p/1P1k1pp1/1R6/8/3p3P/P4r2/1K6 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rf1+ 2. Kb2 d2 3. b7 Rb1+ 4. Kxb1 d1=Q+ 5. Kb2 Qe2+ *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Plaskett, H James(2480) vs. Parker, Jonathan(2310)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "r7/P7/5p2/7p/5P1k/6pP/6K1/R7 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

f5 { with the idea Rxa7 } 2. Kf3 g2 3. Kxg2 Rxa7 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Seirawan, Yasser(2629) vs. Annaberdiev, Meilis(2305)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/7P/1R6/p6K/k7/2r5/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rh6 { 40.Rb8  Rh3+  41.Kg6  Ka3  42.h8=Q  Rxh8  43.Rxh8  a4 = } 1... Rc8 2.
h8=Q Rxh8 3. Rxh8 Kb3 4. Rb8+
{ This manouever to bring the rook behind the a-pawn without allowing direct a4, is worth remembering. }
4... Kc3 5. Ra8
{ Now, after   44...Kb4  45.Kg4  a4  46.Kf3  a3  47.Ke3  Kb3  48.Kd2  +-  White is in time. }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Yu, Roland vs. Dreesbach, Tobias"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/6k1/5p2/p1p1r2R/Pp2P1Kp/1P1P4/2P5/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Kxh4
{ Not   40.Rxe5  fxe5  41.Kxh4  Kh6  The pawn ending is drawn.  42.Kg4  Kg6  43.Kf3  Kf6  44.Ke2  Ke6  45.Kd2  Kd6  46.c3  bxc3+  47.Kxc3  Kd7  48.Kc4  Kc6 =   40.Rxh4  should be sufficient, too  Rg5+  41.Kf3  Re5  42.Ke2  Rg5  43.Rh2  Re5  44.c3  +- }
1... Kg6 2. Rxe5 fxe5 3. Kg4 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Rodriguez Lopez, Rafael(2315) vs. Cramling, Pia(2510)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "3R4/2r5/8/1K6/6k1/PP6/6p1/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rc5+
{ 46...g1=Q ??  47.Rg8+  +-   46...Rg7  47.Rd1  Kf3  48.a4 =  leads to a draw. }
2. Kxc5 { 47.Kb4  g1=Q  48.Rg8+  Rg5  -+ } 2... g1=Q+
{ This is a tablebase win for Black. } *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Fier, Alexander Hilario T( vs. Mahjoob, Morteza(2529)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "3r4/4k3/2P5/8/2K5/3R4/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rd5 { 63.Rxd8  Kxd8 = } 1... Rd6 { 63...Rxd5  64.Kxd5  Kd8  65.Kd6  +- } 2.
Kc5 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Wallis, Christopher(2238) vs. Viswanath, Sandilya B(1967)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/pp6/6kr/2p2p2/2P1p2R/6P1/PP1K1P2/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Ke3 { 39.Rxh6+  Kxh6  40.Ke3  Kg5 = } 1... Rh7
{ 39...Rxh4  40.gxh4  Kh5  41.Kf4  Kxh4  42.Kxf5  +-   39...Kg5  40.Rxh6  Kxh6  41.Kf4  Kg6  42.g4  fxg4  43.Kxg4  +-   39...Rh5  40.Rxh5  Kxh5  41.Kf4  Kg6  42.g4  fxg4  43.Kxg4  +- }
2. Rxh7 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Ladva, Ottomar(2510) vs. Chigaev, Maksim(2531)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "1R6/1P6/8/4p1pp/1r6/4kP1K/6P1/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Kf2 2. g3 { 58.g4  hxg4+  59.fxg4  Kg1  60.Rg8  Rb3# } 2... Rb2 3. g4
{ 59.Rh8  Rxb7  60.Rxh5  Kxf3  -+   The most precise way after  61.Rh8  would be  Rf7!  followed by the march of the e-pawn. }
3... h4 4. Rg8 { 60.Ra8  Rxb7  -+   60.Kh2  Kxf3+  -+ } 4... Kg1 5. Rxg5 Rh2# *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Vidal del Rio, Diego(2146) vs. Piay Garcia, Alba(1938)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/1P5R/4k3/K7/5p1P/8/8/1r6 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rh6+ { 55.Ka6  f3 = } 1... Kd5 2. Ka6
{ 56.Rb6  Ra1+  57.Kb5  Rb1+ =   56.Rh5+  Kc6 = } 2... f3 3. Rf6 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Novikov, Stanislav(2535) vs. Jakovenko, Dmitrij(2691)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/8/8/1R4pp/4r1P1/5k1K/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rf4+
{ 74.Rxg4?  hxg3+  75.Kh3  Rf3!  -+  leads to a mutual zugzwang position in which contrary to the solution the wrong player has to move. }
1... Rf3 2. Rxg4 hxg3+ 3. Kh3 { 76.Kh1  Rc3  77.Rf4+ =  holds, too } 3... Rf8
4. Rf4+ Rxf4 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Seraoui, Mohcen(2122) vs. Ammour, Haouas Khaled"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/pK3p1p/1p6/3rkp2/P7/5PP1/7P/3R4 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. f4+
{ 35.Rxd5+  Kxd5  36.Kxa7  Kc5  37.Ka6  h5  38.Kb7  b5  39.axb5  Kxb5  40.Kc7  Kc5  41.Kd7  Kd4  42.Ke7  Ke3  43.f4  h4  44.Kxf7  h3  45.Kf6  Kf2  46.Kxf5  Kg2  47.g4  Kxh2  48.g5  Kg3  49.g6  h2  50.g7  h1=Q  51.g8=Q+  Kf2  +=  only leads to a tablebase draw. }
1... Ke4 2. Rxd5 Kxd5 3. Kxa7 Kc6
{ 37...Kc5  analog to the variation after 35.Rxd5+ doesn't work anymore as White doesn't need to lose a tempo for f4 later. }
4. Kb8
{ The typical detour to make sure the queenside pawns get exchanged on favorable terms. }
4... Kd6 5. Kb7
{ After   39...Kc5  40.Kc7  Kb4  41.Kxb6  Kxa4  42.Kc5  +-  White wins easily. }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Test 2"]
[Black "Cyra, Dariusz(1770) vs. Pacuszka, Tomasz(2194)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "3r4/1pRP4/p7/P2Pp3/4Pk2/5P1p/4K3/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rc8 h2 { 52...Rxd7  53.Rg8  +-  followed by Rg4# } 2. Rxd8 h1=Q 3. Rf8+ Kg3
4. Rg8+
{ and Black's king doesn't have a good square,   55...Kf4  56.Rg4#  or   55...Kh2  56.Rh8+  +- }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Brainteasers"]
[Black "Introduction"]
[Result "*"]

{ Congratulations ! You made it to the last chapter. In this chapter, we collected positions we deemed too difficult for other chapters. Don't get discouraged, if you can't find the solution. Most of the positions are tough for masters and some of them might be even too tough to crack. }
1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Brainteasers"]
[Black "Ermenkov, Evgenij(2462) vs. Wilkinson, Sinclair(1880)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "k5r1/8/PP6/8/6p1/5pK1/2R5/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rc7 Rf8 2. b7+ Kb8 3. a7+ Kxc7 { 65...Kxa7  66.Rc8  +- } 4. a8=Q *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Brainteasers"]
[Black "Ahola, Eetu vs. Cwiek, Ryszard(1370)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/3R4/1PP5/5k2/8/6pp/2r5/6K1 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rd5+
{ Not   46.Rd1  h2+  47.Kh1  Kg4  and the black king reaches h3 too quickly  48.b7  Kh3  -+ }
1... Kf4
{ 46...Ke4  47.Rd1  Rxc6  48.Rb1  h2+   48...Kf3  49.Rb3+  Kg4  50.Rb4+ =  49.Kg2 = }
2. Rd4+ Ke3 { Now, the black king is far enough from h3 } 3. Rd1 Rxc6 4. Rb1 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Brainteasers"]
[Black "Obukhov, Aleksandr vs. Ibragimov, Ildar"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "5k1r/pR6/3p4/2p2K2/2P2P2/P6p/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Kg5
{ 3.Rb8+ ?  doesn't restrain the h-pawn.  Kg7  4.Rb7+  Kh6  5.Rb3   5.Rb1  Kh5  -+  5...h2  -+   3.Kg6?  Rh4  4.Kg5  h2  -+   3.Kf6?  Rh6+  4.Kg5  h2  -+ }
1... h2 2. Rb8+ Kg7 3. Rb7+ Kg8 4. Rb8+ Kh7 5. Rb7+ *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Brainteasers"]
[Black "Svetushkin, Dmitry(2574) vs. Iovcov, Valerii(2406)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/1p2R2P/p7/8/8/3k2K1/8/7r w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Rf7
{ Black has no defense against White's plan to bring the rook to the h-file. }
1... b5 2. Rf3+ Kc4 { 62...Ke2  63.Rf2+  Kd3  64.Rh2  +- } 3. Rf4+ Kc3 4. Rh4 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Brainteasers"]
[Black "Drosyk, Petr vs. Bendiuk, Alexander"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/p1p1PR2/P1P2p2/1P2k3/4r1p1/4P1K1/8 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. b5 f4
{ 64...Rxe2+  65.Kxg3  f4+   65...cxb5  66.c6  Kd5  67.c7  Rc2  68.e7  +-  66.Kh3  +-  Eventually, one of White's pawns will reach the 8th rank.   64...Ke5  65.bxa6  Kxf6  66.a7  +- }
2. Kf1 { 65.bxa6 ??  leads to disaster  Rxe2+  66.Kf1  f3  67.a7  g2+  -+ }
2... cxb5 3. c6 Kd5 4. c7 Rc3 5. e7 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Brainteasers"]
[Black "Zukertort, Johannes Hermann vs. Englisch, Berthold"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "6rk/1p6/p3RPPp/P7/1P1p4/4p3/8/6K1 w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1. Kh2
{ 41.Kh1  d3  42.Rxe3   42.f7 ?  d2  -+   42.g7+  Kh7  43.f7 ?  d2  -+  42...d2  43.g7+  Kh7  44.Rd3  Kg6 =   41.Kf1  Rxg6  42.f7  e2+ !  43.Ke1   43.Rxe2 ?  Rf6+  ∓  43...Rg1+  44.Kxe2  Kg7 = }
1... d3
{ 41...Rxg6  42.f7  Kg7  43.Rxg6+  Kxf7  44.Rg1  +-  White subdues the passed pawns, e.g.  44...d3  45.Kg2  d2  46.Kf3  +- }
2. g7+ Kh7 3. f7
{ White's promotion comes first, see e.g.   43...d2  44. f8Q d1Q  45.Qf5+  +- }
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Brainteasers"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey(2206) vs. Klimanski, Vladimir"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "8/8/2K3k1/5R2/P5P1/8/5p1r/8 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

1... Kg7 { White's king doesn't find sufficient shelter. } 2. Kb5
{ 59.a5  Rh6+  60.Kb7  Rf6 =   59.Kb7  Kg6 =  with the idea Rh7+ and Rf7 } 2...
Kg6 3. a5
{ 60.Kb4  Rg2 =   60.Rf3  Kg5 =   60.Kb6  Kg7  61.a5  Rh6+  62.Kb7  Rf6 = }
3... Rh5 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Brainteasers"]
[Black "Landa, Konstantin(2542) vs. Potkin, Vladimir(2400)"]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "4k3/p5p1/1p1KPr2/3p4/2p4p/P1P5/2P3P1/1R6 b - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]

Rf4
{ White was threatening to bring the rook to the 8th rank by a4-a5 or Rh1, followed by g3. The only way to disturb White's mating attack is by checking the king on d6 from behind.   34...Rf2  35.Rh1  g5  36.g3  d4  37.gxh4  dxc3  38.h5  +- }
2. a4 { 35.Rh1  d4  36.g3  Rg4 = } 2... d4 3. a5 dxc3 4. axb6 axb6 5. Rxb6 Rd4+
*