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

Position

White: king h3; rook a6; knight d7; pawn e6. Black: king d4; rook e2; pawns f2/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra1 — rook a6→a1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1 — rook e2→e1. Opponent replies Ra4+ (rook a1→a4, gives check).
3. Best move: Ke3 — king d4→e3. Opponent replies e7 (pawn e6→e7).
4. Best move: f1=Q+ — pawn f2→f1, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, promotion. The key move is Re1.

Position data

FEN: 8/3N4/R3P3/7p/3k4/7K/4rp2/8 w - - 0 58

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