Chess Puzzle #1Iv2n — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 964 · Beginner · advantage, endgame, long, rook endgame, skewer.

Position

White: king e1; rooks e5/e8; pawns a5/c2/f2. Black: king h6; rooks a3/h4; pawns d4/g6/h3. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h2 — pawn h3→h2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook e8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h6→g7).
  3. Best move: Rxh4 — rook h8→h4, captures rook. Opponent replies h1=Q+ (pawn h2→h1, promotes to queen, gives check).
  4. Best move: Rxh1 — rook h4→h1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, rook endgame, skewer. The key move is Rh8+.

Position data

FEN: 4R3/8/6pk/P3R3/3p3r/r6p/2P2P2/4K3 b - - 11 55

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