Chess Puzzle #0r2vA — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 1169 · Beginner · crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king d1; rook b8; pawns a4/b3. Black: king c3; rook b2; pawn e4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb3 — rook b2→b3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxb3+ — rook b8→b3, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb3 (king c3→b3, captures rook).
  3. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxb3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1R6/8/8/8/P3p3/1Pk5/1r6/3K4 b - - 11 59

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

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