Chess Puzzle #eRGnT — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2226 · Expert · crushing, endgame, master, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king e4; rook h6; pawns a2/b3/c3/g3/h2. Black: king b5; rook d3; pawns a5/a7/c4/f7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: cxb3 — pawn c4→b3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: a4+ — pawn a2→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa4 (king b5→a4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Kxd3 — king e4→d3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, rook endgame, short. The key move is a4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/p4p1p/7R/pk6/2p1K3/1PPr2P1/P6P/8 b - - 2 36

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