Chess Puzzle #KuS8Q — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king a6; rook d7; pawns a3/b7. Black: king e3; rook b2; pawns d2/e6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka7 — king a6→a7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra2 — rook b2→a2. Opponent replies Kb6 (king a7→b6).
3. Best move: Rxa3 — rook a2→a3, captures pawn. Opponent replies b8=Q (pawn b7→b8, promotes to queen).
4. Best move: Rb3+ — rook a3→b3, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move is Ra2.

Position data

FEN: 8/1P1R4/K3p3/8/8/P3k3/1r1p4/8 w - - 3 48

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