Chess Puzzle #rAf9c — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2321 · Expert · crushing, endgame, hanging piece, rook endgame, very long.

Position

White: king c6; rook a3; pawns a7/g2. Black: king g4; rook a8; pawns f4/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxa7 — rook a8→a7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxa7 — rook a3→a7, captures rook. Opponent replies Kg3 (king g4→g3).
  3. Best move: Rg7+ — rook a7→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g3→f2).
  4. Best move: Rg4 — rook g7→g4. Opponent replies f3 (pawn f4→f3).
  5. Best move: gxf3 — pawn g2→f3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, hanging piece, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxa7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r7/P7/2K5/8/5pkp/R7/6P1/8 b - - 1 52

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