Chess Puzzle #23HNI — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 734 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f3; rook h8; pawns d6/g2/h3. Black: king f6; rook d1; pawns f5/f7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d1→d6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook h8→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke5 (king f6→e5).
  3. Best move: Rxd6 — rook h6→d6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7R/5p2/3P1k1p/5p2/8/5K1P/6P1/3r4 b - - 3 39

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