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

Rating 1746 · Advanced · deflection, endgame, equality, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king d1; rook a1. Black: king b3; rook c5; pawn a3. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook c5→c2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxa3+ — rook a1→a3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa3 (king b3→a3, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kxc2 — king d1→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, equality, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxa3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/2r5/8/pk6/8/R2K4 b - - 15 65

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