Chess Puzzle #5LdQt — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1370 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king e2; rook a5; pawns f2/g4/h4. Black: king b3; rook b4; pawns a2/e4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra4 — rook b4→a4. Opponent replies Rxa4 (rook a5→a4, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kxa4 — king b3→a4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/R7/1r2p1PP/1k6/p3KP2/8 w - - 0 55

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