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

Rating 2322 · Expert · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king c2; rook f2; pawns a3/a5/c4/d5/g6. Black: king d7; rook h1; pawns a4/c7/d6/g7/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h3 — pawn h4→h3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies Rh2 (rook h1→h2).
  3. Best move: Rxh2 — rook f2→h2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move is a6.

Position data

FEN: 8/2pk2p1/3p2P1/P2P4/p1P4p/P7/2K2R2/7r b - - 1 43

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