Chess Puzzle #4dpts — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1244 · Intermediate · advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long.

Position

White: king f3; rook f5; pawn h5. Black: king h7; rook a4; pawns a5/f4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf4 — rook f5→f4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf4+ — rook a4→f4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf4 (king f3→f4, captures rook).
  3. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies Ke3 (king f4→e3).
  4. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e3→d2).
  5. Best move: a2 — pawn a3→a2.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/7k/8/p4R1P/r4p2/5K2/8/8 w - - 3 72

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