Chess Puzzle #19gaw — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 958 · Beginner · crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g2; rook a7; pawns a4/c7. Black: king h5; rook c8; pawns g4/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h3+ — pawn h4→h3, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kg3 — king g2→g3. Opponent replies h2 (pawn h3→h2).
  3. Best move: Kxh2 — king g3→h2, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move is Kg3.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/R1P5/8/7k/P5pp/8/6K1/8 b - - 1 39

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.