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

Rating 2230 · Expert · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king g4; rook a7; pawns f5/g3. Black: king e7; rook a1; pawns a3/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf6 — king e7→f6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh7 — rook a7→h7, captures pawn. Opponent replies a2 (pawn a3→a2).
  3. Best move: Ra7 — rook h7→a7.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move Rxh7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/R3k2p/8/5P2/6K1/p5P1/8/r7 b - - 2 48

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