Chess Puzzle #275mi — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1406 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king f3; rook e7; pawn a7. Black: king b5; rook f6; pawn f4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook f6→f8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rb7+ — rook e7→b7, gives check. Opponent replies Ka6 (king b5→a6).
  3. Best move: Rb8 — rook b7→b8. Opponent replies Kxa7 (king a6→a7, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Rxf8 — rook b8→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move is Rb7+.

Position data

FEN: 8/P3R3/5r2/1k6/5p2/5K2/8/8 b - - 0 52

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