Chess Puzzle #Ha0ce — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1518 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king a5; rook h1; pawns a3/b3. Black: king c5; rook h6; pawns a6/h2. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b4+ — pawn b3→b4, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kc4 — king c5→c4. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a3→a4).
  3. Best move: Rh5+ — rook h6→h5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, rook endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move is Kc4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p6r/K1k5/8/PP6/7p/7R w - - 0 50

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