Chess Puzzle #LiI41 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1416 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king h4; rook c4; pawns a5/b4/h3. Black: king g6; rook d2; pawns a7/e5/f5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd4+ — rook d2→d4, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd4 — rook c4→d4, captures rook. Opponent replies exd4 (pawn e5→d4, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kg3 — king h4→g3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p7/6kp/P3pp2/1PR4K/7P/3r4/8 b - - 1 43

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