Chess Puzzle #21zZM — Beginner, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1122 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, rook endgame, skewer.

Position

White: king d3; rook h2; pawn h4. Black: king e5; rook a7; pawn d5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra3+ — rook a7→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d3→e2).
  3. Best move: Ra2+ — rook a3→a2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf3 (king e2→f3).
  4. Best move: Rxh2 — rook a2→h2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, rook endgame, skewer. The key move is Ra3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/r7/8/3pk3/7P/3K4/7R/8 w - - 0 47

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