Chess Puzzle #7ZPTc — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1497 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king c6; rook h7; pawns b3/c4. Black: king d8; rook a2; pawns a7/c7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc7 — rook h7→c7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra6+ — rook a2→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb5 (king c6→b5).
  3. Best move: Rb6+ — rook a6→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Kc5 (king b5→c5).
  4. Best move: Kxc7 — king d8→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move is Ra6+.

Position data

FEN: 3k4/p1p4R/2K5/8/2P5/1P6/r7/8 w - - 0 55

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