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

Rating 1349 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king e2; rook c2; pawns d4/e3/f4/g5. Black: king g7; rook a4; pawns d5/e6/f5/f7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc4 — rook a4→c4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc4 — rook c2→c4, captures rook. Opponent replies dxc4 (pawn d5→c4, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kd2 — king e2→d2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5pk1/4p3/3p1pP1/r2P1P2/4P3/2R1K3/8 b - - 26 59

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

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