Chess Puzzle #CSv0Q — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king c2; rook c5; pawns a6/d4/g5. Black: king f7; rook g3; pawns c3/e6/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg1 — rook g3→g1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra5 — rook c5→a5. Opponent replies h3 (pawn h4→h3).
3. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies h2 (pawn h3→h2).
4. Best move: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies h1=Q (pawn h2→h1, promotes to queen).
5. Best move: Ra7+ — rook a5→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king f7→g6).
6. Best move: Qe8+ — queen a8→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg5 (king g6→g5, captures pawn).
7. Best move: Rg7+ — rook a7→g7, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move is Ra5.

Position data

FEN: 8/5k2/P3p3/2R3P1/3P3p/2p3r1/2K5/8 b - - 0 45

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