Chess Puzzle #LVacu — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2256 · Expert · advantage, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f4; rook h1; pawns a4/b2/c3/d4/e5/g5. Black: king g7; rook c8; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f5/f7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rh8 — rook c8→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh8 — rook h1→h8, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king g7→h8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxh8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/1p3pk1/p3p3/3pPpP1/P2P1K2/2P5/1P6/7R b - - 0 32

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