Chess Puzzle #4MjCO — Advanced, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1680 · Advanced · crushing, endgame, master, rook endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king g1; rook c7; pawns e6/h3. Black: king f8; rook c2; pawns c3/g4/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: hxg4 — pawn h3→g4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: hxg4 — pawn h5→g4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rf7+ (rook c7→f7, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ke8 — king f8→e8.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, rook endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move hxg4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/2R5/4P3/7p/6p1/2p4P/2r5/6K1 w - - 0 40

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