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

Position

White: king f2; rook h8; pawns e4/f3/g2/h6. Black: king d7; rook h1; pawns b6/c4/e5/f4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h7 — pawn h6→h7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: c3 — pawn c4→c3. Opponent replies Ra8 (rook h8→a8).
3. Best move: c2 — pawn c3→c2. Opponent replies h8=Q (pawn h7→h8, promotes to queen).
4. Best move: Rxh8 — rook h1→h8, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxh8 (rook a8→h8, captures rook).
5. Best move: c1=Q — pawn c2→c1, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, rook endgame, very long. The key move is c3.

Position data

FEN: 7R/3k4/1p5P/4p3/2p1Pp2/5P2/5KP1/7r w - - 0 52

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