Chess Puzzle #3Fo45 — Advanced, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1790 · Advanced · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king f5; rook a4; pawns a2/b4/g4/h4. Black: king d5; rook a6; pawns a5/e4/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxa5+ — rook a4→a5, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxa5 — rook a6→a5, captures rook. Opponent replies bxa5 (pawn b4→a5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: e3 — pawn e4→e3. Opponent replies a6 (pawn a5→a6).
  4. Best move: Kc6 — king d5→c6.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move Rxa5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/r6p/p2k1K2/RP2p1PP/8/P7/8 w - - 0 54

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