Chess Puzzle #1A9sk — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1313 · Intermediate · advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, short.

Position

White: king d2; rook c4; pawns c5/f4/h4. Black: king b2; bishop f5; pawns a3/b7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra4 — rook c4→a4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Opponent replies Rb4+ (rook a4→b4, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ka3 — king b2→a3.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, short. The key move is a2.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p6/6p1/2P2b1p/2R2P1P/p7/1k1K4/8 w - - 0 54

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