fotoman, in your variation 3.Bb3 is the move that causes White to lose.
It should be noted that black has the draw in the bag. The white bishop must stay on the d1-a4 diagonal, so black can chase the bishop endlessly with his rook (along the 8th rank). This tactic will lead to a draw either by agreement or repetition in a few moves.
There are some complications:
1 Bc2 a4 2 Rd4 a3 3 Rxb4 Rc1
If White plays 2.Rd4, Black can force a win. The original position is drawn.
1. Bc2 a4 2. Rd4 a3 3. Rxb4 Rc1 4. Bb3 Rb1 5. Rb5 a2 6. Rf5+ Ke7 7. Re5+ Kf68. Re6+ Kg7 9. Bxa2 Rb2 10. Re2 Rxa2 -+.
Yes, I've seen a few positions now K+R Vs K+3P and K+Q Vs K+R+3P, but all are tough finishes, not forced wins.
At the time I was thankful to get away from the table, my opponent had outplayed me in the opening and middle-game, making a mistake at the first time control.
Fotoman, there's a flaw in that plan. What if, 6.Ra7+?
Black's king is very confined. He can't step on the a2-g8 diagonal due to Bc3+, he can't step on the a1-h8 diagonal due to h7, he can't step on the c-file due to Rxa2. That really only leaves a small corridor... d6, d7, d8, e7, e8, and f8. So White's rook can get away with perpetual checks from a6, a7, and a8... draw.
tricky endgame situation, I love it!
I wasn't sure about 2. Rd4 but 2. Ra7 looks even worse
The Rook vs 3 Pawns finish in the 2.Rd4 line:
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