Chess Puzzle #Acpue — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f2; rook e8; pawns a6/e5/f7/g3. Black: king c7; bishop d5; pawns c2/g4. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c1=Q — pawn c2→c1, promotes to queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook e8→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc8 (king c7→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: f8=Q+ — pawn f7→f8, promotes to queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
4. Best move: Qd6+ — queen f8→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king d7→e8).
5. Best move: Qxd5 — queen d6→d5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, attraction, crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, promotion, very long. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: 4R3/2k2P2/P7/3bP3/6p1/6P1/2p2K2/8 b - - 1 49

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