Chess Puzzle #29zfl — Master, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2509 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, very long.

Position

White: king d7; rook b7; pawns b4/c5. Black: king d5; rook h1; pawns c6/g6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook b7→b8. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh7+ — rook h1→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king d7→c8).
  3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kb7 (king c8→b7).
  4. Best move: Rxb8+ — rook h8→b8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb8 (king b7→b8, captures rook).
  5. Best move: Kc4 — king d5→c4. Opponent replies Kc7 (king b8→c7).
  6. Best move: Kb5 — king c4→b5. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c7→d6).
  7. Best move: g5 — pawn g6→g5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1R1K4/2p3p1/2Pk4/1P6/8/8/7r w - - 0 49

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