Chess Puzzle #0bbkZ — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 1139 · Beginner · crushing, deflection, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king b1; rooks b7/c1; pawns b2/h3. Black: king a5; rooks d4/f2; pawns g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rb4 — rook d4→b4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc5+ — rook c1→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Ka6 (king a5→a6).
  3. Best move: Rxb4 — rook b7→b4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move is Rc5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/1R4pp/8/k7/3r4/7P/1P3r2/1KR5 b - - 0 38

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