Chess Puzzle #4o4za — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1133 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, skewer.

Position

White: king b3; rook f4; pawns b2/d5/f5/g2/g4/h6. Black: king g8; rook a3; pawns c5/d6/f6/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc4 — king b3→c4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra4+ — rook a3→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb5 (king c4→b5).
  3. Best move: Rxf4 — rook a4→f4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Ra4+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p1p/3p1p1P/2pP1P2/5RP1/rK6/1P4P1/8 w - - 1 39

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