Chess Puzzle #24qXE — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 1045 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, short.

Position

White: king h3; rook c5; knight c4; pawns f4/g3/h2. Black: king h7; rook a2; knight e3; pawns e6/g7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook a2→c2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh5+ — rook c5→h5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
  3. Best move: Nxe3 — knight c4→e3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxh5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/6pk/4p3/2R4p/2N2P2/4n1PK/r6P/8 b - - 1 40

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