Chess Puzzle #1SR45 — Beginner, Black to move, endgame

Rating 681 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, skewer.

Position

White: king d5; rook f5; pawns a4/f3/g4/h3. Black: king b6; rook c6; pawns a5/f4/g5/h4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxg5 — rook f5→g5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc5+ — rook c6→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke4 (king d5→e4).
  3. Best move: Rxg5 — rook c5→g5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1kr5/p2K1Rp1/P4pPp/5P1P/8/8 w - - 6 51

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