Chess Puzzle #243E1 — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 683 · Beginner · crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king a1; rook d2; pawns a6/g5/h4. Black: king e7; rook b5; pawns e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra5+ — rook b5→a5, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra2 — rook d2→a2. Opponent replies Rxa2+ (rook a5→a2, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxa2 — king a1→a2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move is Ra2.

Position data

FEN: 8/4kppp/P3p3/1r4P1/7P/8/3R4/K7 b - - 1 38

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