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

Rating 816 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, skewer.

Position

White: king f3; rook d8; pawns f4/g2/h2. Black: king c6; rook c2; pawns e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f5 — pawn f7→f5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook d8→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd5 (king c6→d5).
  3. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c8→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/5ppp/2k1p3/8/5P2/5K2/2r3PP/8 b - - 8 37

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