Rook Endgame

A chess problem is the wrong approach when there are several solutions and the one implemented is far from optimal. Checkmate can be forced in fifteen or sixteen moves from this position. The "solution" delivers checkmate in thirty.

Fifteen or sixteen moves was a guess. With the material presented, mate can be forced in sixteen moves from the hardest position. This is the hardest position:

In the game below, I believe that I have reconstructed the original position. It turns out that optimal play produces checkmate in thirteen moves. It took me fourteen playing at blitz speed.

peice of cake

Yeah I know rook and King checkmate