Chess Puzzle #349CX — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1273 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, master, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king a3; rook g2; pawns a5/h4/h5. Black: king c1; rook c5; pawns a6/b2/g6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook g2→b2, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxa5+ — rook c5→a5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb3 (king a3→b3).
  3. Best move: Rb5+ — rook a5→b5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxa5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p5p1/P1r4P/7P/K7/1p4R1/2k5 w - - 4 55

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