Chess Puzzle #0Aq9q — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1621 · Advanced · crushing, endgame, long, master, rook endgame.

Position

White: king a4; rook b3; pawns b4/c4/e4/f2/g3/h4. Black: king c2; rook a1; pawns a3/b7/c6/f7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxa3 — rook b3→a3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: b5+ — pawn b7→b5, gives check. Opponent replies cxb5 (pawn c4→b5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: cxb5+ — pawn c6→b5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ka5 (king a4→a5).
  4. Best move: Rxa3+ — rook a1→a3, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, master, rook endgame. The key move cxb5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p3p2/2p5/7p/KPP1P2P/pR4P1/2k2P2/r7 w - - 3 50

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