Chess Puzzle #26zpW — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1207 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, skewer.

Position

White: king c5; rook a4. Black: king c3; rook d3. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rh3 — rook d3→h3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra3+ — rook a4→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Kc2 (king c3→c2).
  3. Best move: Rxh3 — rook a3→h3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Ra3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/2K5/R7/2kr4/8/8 b - - 15 69

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