Chess Puzzle #5waHh — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1542 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, rook endgame, skewer.

Position

White: king g5; rook a7. Black: king g7; rook h8. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kg8 — king g7→g8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kg6 — king g5→g6. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
  3. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
  4. Best move: Rxh8 — rook a8→h8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, rook endgame, skewer. The key move is Kg6.

Position data

FEN: 7r/R5k1/8/6K1/8/8/8/8 b - - 5 107

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