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

Rating 1477 · Intermediate · advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, rook endgame, very long.

Position

White: king h2; rooks b2/d2; pawns a6/b5. Black: king e3; rooks f3/f8; pawns d3/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf2+ — rook f3→f2, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf2 — rook d2→f2, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxf2+ (rook f8→f2, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Rxf2 — rook b2→f2, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxf2 (king e3→f2, captures rook).
  4. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies d2 (pawn d3→d2).
  5. Best move: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies d1=Q (pawn d2→d1, promotes to queen).
  6. Best move: Qg2+ — queen a8→g2, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxf2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/8/P7/1P6/7p/3pkr2/1R1R3K/8 b - - 0 46

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