Chess Puzzle #A4AUp — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1402 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king b5; rook c3; pawns f5/g4. Black: king f2; rook h2; pawns g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg2 — rook h2→g2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc2+ — rook c3→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king f2→g3).
  3. Best move: Rxg2+ — rook c2→g2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg2 (king g3→g2, captures rook).
  4. Best move: g5 — pawn g4→g5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move Rxg2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/6pp/8/1K3P2/6P1/2R5/5k1r/8 b - - 1 53

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