Chess Puzzle #3qJLC — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king a3; rook d8; pawns a2/b2/d6. Black: king h6; knights f1/f2; pawns a6/b6/g6/h2. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h1=Q — pawn h2→h1, promotes to queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook d8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h6→g7).
3. Best move: Rxh1 — rook h8→h1, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxh1 (knight f2→h1, captures rook).
4. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, long, skewer. The key move is Rh8+.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/8/pp1P2pk/8/8/K7/PP3n1p/5n2 b - - 0 38

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.