Chess Puzzle #4d04F — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 1127 · Beginner · crushing, deflection, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king e3; rook d8; pawns a3/b2. Black: king g5; rook f4; pawns a7/b6/f5/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h6→h5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rg8+ — rook d8→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king g5→f6).
  3. Best move: Kxf4 — king e3→f4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move is Rg8+.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/p7/1p5p/5pk1/5r2/P3K3/1P6/8 b - - 5 52

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

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