Chess Puzzle #0lUQp — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king a3; rook h7; pawns b5/c4. Black: king f3; rook b2; bishop d4; pawns f4/h2. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf2 — king f3→f2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh2+ — rook h7→h2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke3 (king f2→e3).
3. Best move: Rxb2 — rook h2→b2, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxb2+ (bishop d4→b2, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxb2 — king a3→b2, captures bishop. Opponent replies f3 (pawn f4→f3).
5. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies f2 (pawn f3→f2).
6. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7. Opponent replies f1=Q (pawn f2→f1, promotes to queen).
7. Best move: b8=Q — pawn b7→b8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, equality, promotion, very long. The key move Rxh2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/7R/8/1P6/2Pb1p2/K4k2/1r5p/8 b - - 10 54

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.