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

Rating 1646 · Advanced · endgame, equality, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king h6; rook a1; pawn g7. Black: king c8; rook b2; pawns a2/b4/c7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg2 — rook b2→g2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxa2 — rook a1→a2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxg7 (rook g2→g7, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Kxg7 — king h6→g7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxa2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/2p3P1/7K/8/1p6/8/pr6/R7 b - - 0 64

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