Chess Puzzle #8fVo3 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1414 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, very long.

Position

White: king f3; rook a7; pawn a5. Black: king g5; rook g4; pawns e5/f6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h6→h5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rg7+ — rook a7→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh4 (king g5→h4).
  3. Best move: Rxg4+ — rook g7→g4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies hxg4+ (pawn h5→g4, captures rook, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kg2 — king f3→g2. Opponent replies e4 (pawn e5→e4).
  5. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxg4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/R7/5p1p/P3p1k1/6r1/5K2/8/8 b - - 1 44

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