Chess Puzzle #3Bc6i — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1329 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, skewer.

Position

White: king g3; rook a7; pawns a3/c7. Black: king c8; knight g5; pawns a5/d5/e6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf7 — knight g5→f7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc7 (king c8→c7, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Ra7+ — rook a8→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king c7→d8).
  4. Best move: Rxf7 — rook a7→f7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, skewer. The key move is Ra8+.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/R1P5/4p3/p2p2np/8/P5K1/8/8 b - - 6 60

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