Chess Puzzle #AO1eb — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1500 · Intermediate · crushing, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king g6; rook a1. Black: king f8; rook f7; pawn f4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f3 — pawn f4→f3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a1→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
  3. Best move: Ra7+ — rook a8→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e7→d6).
  4. Best move: Rxf7 — rook a7→f7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long, rook endgame, skewer. The key move is Ra8+.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/5r2/6K1/8/5p2/8/8/R7 b - - 1 70

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

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