Chess Puzzle #369rQ — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1500 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame.

Position

White: king c4; pawns a4/b5/g3/h2. Black: king e2; rook b1. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke3 — king e2→e3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies Rc1+ (rook b1→c1, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kd5 — king c4→d5. Opponent replies Ra1 (rook c1→a1).
  4. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame. The key move is a5.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/1P6/P1K5/6P1/4k2P/1r6 b - - 1 50

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