Chess Puzzle #29fvt — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 788 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, skewer.

Position

White: king a5; rook c7; pawns f2/h2. Black: king e8; rook f8; pawns b3/e6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg8 — rook f8→g8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e8→d7).
  3. Best move: Rxg8 — rook c8→g8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: 4kr2/2R2p1p/4p3/K7/8/1p6/5P1P/8 b - - 0 52

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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