Chess Puzzle #NkqkO — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2275 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king a2; rook f6; pawns f3/f7/h4. Black: king c3; rook f8; pawns a3/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd3 — king c3→d3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kxa3 — king a2→a3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd4 (king d3→d4).
  3. Best move: f4 — pawn f3→f4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Kxa3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/5P2/5Rp1/7p/7P/p1k2P2/K7/8 b - - 2 61

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