Chess Puzzle #2Il8Q — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1237 · Intermediate · crushing, deflection, endgame, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king f1; rook a7; pawn g6. Black: king e3; rook e2; pawns c6/d3/e5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d2 — pawn d3→d2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra3+ — rook a7→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd4 (king e3→d4).
  3. Best move: Kxe2 — king f1→e2, captures rook. Opponent replies d1=Q+ (pawn d2→d1, promotes to queen, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kxd1 — king e2→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move is Ra3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/R7/2p3P1/4p3/8/3pk3/4r3/5K2 b - - 0 43

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