Chess Puzzle #2JzZx — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1324 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, skewer.

Position

White: king e5; rook a5; pawns a2/g3/h2. Black: king f8; rook f2; pawns f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h4 — pawn h2→h4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rf5+ — rook f2→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd4 (king e5→d4).
  3. Best move: Rxa5 — rook f5→a5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Rf5+.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/5p1p/6p1/R3K3/8/6P1/P4r1P/8 w - - 0 42

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