Chess Puzzle #8G4O9 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1534 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f2; rook c8; pawns e3/g4/h4. Black: king d6; rook a5; pawns a7/c4/d5/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc5 — rook a5→c5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c8→c5, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxc5 (king d6→c5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/p7/3k2p1/r2p4/2p3PP/4P3/5K2/8 b - - 0 42

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