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

Rating 1218 · Intermediate · crushing, deflection, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king b7; pawns a2/c5/c7. Black: king d7; rook h8; pawn a7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook h8→c8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: c6+ — pawn c5→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king d7→d6).
  3. Best move: Kxc8 — king b7→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move is c6+.

Position data

FEN: 7r/pKPk4/8/2P5/8/8/P7/8 b - - 0 46

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