Chess Puzzle #C2JQ4 — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1544 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, master, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f4; rook d8; pawns e5/g5. Black: king c5; rook h3; pawn b2. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook d8→b8. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh4+ — rook h3→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf5 (king f4→f5).
  3. Best move: Rb4 — rook h4→b4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, rook endgame, short. The key move is Rh4+.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/8/8/2k1P1P1/5K2/7r/1p6/8 w - - 0 52

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