Chess Puzzle #pHt3m — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Rating 1863 · Advanced · endgame, equality, rook endgame, short, skewer.

Position

White: king e1; rook a7; pawns c3/d4/e5/h2. Black: king c8; rooks g2/h8; pawns b5/d5/h4. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxh2 — rook g2→h2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
  3. Best move: Rxh8 — rook a8→h8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, rook endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Ra8+.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/R7/8/1p1pP3/3P3p/2P5/6rP/4K3 b - - 1 36

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