Chess Puzzle #4s4ah — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1225 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, short, skewer.

Position

White: king g4; rook a7; pawns a4/h3. Black: king d5; bishop d2; pawns a5/c6/f6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c6→c5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd7+ — rook a7→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke4 (king d5→e4).
  3. Best move: Rxd2 — rook d7→d2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Rd7+.

Position data

FEN: 8/R7/2p2p1p/p2k4/P5K1/7P/3b4/8 b - - 9 51

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