Chess Puzzle #rg1Ol — Master, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king a2; rook c1; pawns a3/b4/c7. Black: king h6; rook c8; pawns a7/g6/h4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc4 — rook c1→c4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: g5 — pawn g6→g5. Opponent replies Rc6+ (rook c4→c6, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh5 — king h6→h5. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a3→a4).
4. Best move: h3 — pawn h4→h3. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b4→b5).
5. Best move: h2 — pawn h3→h2. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c6→c1).
6. Best move: Kg4 — king h5→g4. Opponent replies a5 (pawn a4→a5).
7. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c8→c7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxc7 (rook c1→c7, captures rook).
8. Best move: h1=Q — pawn h2→h1, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, deflection, endgame, promotion, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move is g5.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/p1P5/6pk/8/1P5p/P7/K7/2R5 w - - 0 50

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