Chess Puzzle #0O8Qa — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 969 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f3; rook b2; pawns a2/g4. Black: king h5; rook a4; pawns f6/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxg4 — rook a4→g4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh2+ — rook b2→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Rh4 (rook g4→h4).
  3. Best move: Rxh4+ — rook h2→h4, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxh4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/5p2/6pk/r5P1/5K2/PR6/8 b - - 0 42

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.