Chess Puzzle #206g6 — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1501 · Intermediate · deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king a4; rook a6; pawns a3/b4/h2. Black: king c6; rook h3; pawns b6/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra8 — rook a6→a8. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: b5+ — pawn b6→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Ka5 (king a4→a5).
  3. Best move: Rxa3# — rook h3→a3, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxa3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/Rpk3p1/8/KP6/P6r/7P/8 w - - 3 44

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