Chess Puzzle #PlSwv — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2603 · Master · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king f4; rook h8; pawns e3/f2/h7. Black: king h6; rook b7; pawns f5/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxh7 — rook b7→h7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh7+ — rook h8→h7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king h6→h7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Ke5 — king f4→e5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move Rxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7R/1r5P/6pk/5p2/5K2/4P3/5P2/8 b - - 2 44

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