Chess Puzzle #2VWaR — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 816 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king b4; rooks f2/f3; pawns b2/d4/g2/h3. Black: king e7; rooks b8/d8; pawns b5/d5/e6/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook d8→f8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf8 — rook f3→f8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook b8→f8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxf8 — rook f2→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxf8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r1r4/4k3/4p2p/1p1p2p1/1K1P4/5R1P/1P3RP1/8 b - - 0 35

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