Chess Puzzle #nPJzh — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d5; rook a2; pawns a5/d3/e5/g4/h3. Black: king b5; rook a7; pawns b4/c5/d4/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa5 — rook a7→a5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa5+ — rook a2→a5, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa5 (king b5→a5, captures rook).
3. Best move: e6 — pawn e5→e6. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b4→b3).
4. Best move: e7 — pawn e6→e7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move Rxa5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/r5pp/8/PkpKP3/1p1p2P1/3P3P/R7/8 b - - 2 46

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