Chess Puzzle #2SySq — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 946 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king b4; rook a5; pawns c3/g2. Black: king e4; rook d5; pawns b5/c4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg5 — rook d5→g5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxb5 — rook a5→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxg2 (rook g5→g2, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Kxc4 — king b4→c4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/Rp1r4/1Kp1k3/2P5/6P1/8 b - - 4 37

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