Chess Puzzle #IG8JV — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1462 · Intermediate · advantage, deflection, endgame, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a5/e1; pawns b5/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; rooks d4/d8; pawns b7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook d4→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a5→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king c8→c7).
  3. Best move: b6+ — pawn b5→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb6 (king c7→b6, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Rxd8 — rook a8→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move is Ra8+.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/1p3p1p/4p1p1/RP6/2Pr4/8/5PPP/4R1K1 b - - 0 22

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