Chess Puzzle #18xkn — Beginner, Black to move, endgame

Rating 879 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, skewer.

Position

White: king e3; rook a7; pawns e4/f5/h4. Black: king h6; rook h2; pawns a3/f6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxa3 — rook a7→a3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh3+ — rook h2→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd4 (king e3→d4).
  3. Best move: Rxa3 — rook h3→a3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Rh3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/R6p/5p1k/5P2/4P2P/p3K3/7r/8 w - - 1 40

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