Chess Puzzle #88sls — Expert, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king b7; rook a2; pawns a6/b3/c4. Black: king h4; rook a8; bishop d4; pawns c5/e3. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh8 — rook a8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh2+ — rook a2→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg4 (king h4→g4).
3. Best move: Rxh8 — rook h2→h8, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxh8 (bishop d4→h8, captures rook).
4. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies e2 (pawn e3→e2).
5. Best move: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, equality, promotion, very long. The key move is Rh2+.

Position data

FEN: r7/1K6/P7/2p5/2Pb3k/1P2p3/R7/8 b - - 2 52

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.