Chess Puzzle #JOCr1 — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g4; rook f8; pawns a3/c4/g3/h5. Black: king e5; rook b3; knight c5; pawns a4/e6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa3 — rook b3→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6. Opponent replies Ne4 (knight c5→e4).
3. Best move: h7 — pawn h6→h7. Opponent replies Rxg3+ (rook a3→g3, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh4 — king g4→h4. Opponent replies Rh3+ (rook g3→h3, gives check).
5. Best move: Kxh3 — king h4→h3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, equality, very long. The key move is h6.

Position data

FEN: 5R2/8/4p3/2n1k2P/p1P3K1/Pr4P1/8/8 b - - 0 53

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