Chess Puzzle #2qGQq — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2422 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame.

Position

White: king f3; rook h4; pawns a3/c3/e3/g4/h3. Black: king g5; rook h8; pawns a6/b5/c4/e5/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxh5+ — rook h4→h5, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh5 — rook h8→h5, captures rook. Opponent replies gxh5 (pawn g4→h5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Opponent replies Ke4 (king f3→e4).
  4. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame. The key move Rxh5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 7r/8/p7/1p2p1kp/2p3PR/P1P1PK1P/8/8 w - - 1 38

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