Chess Puzzle #3RIIZ — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1337 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g3; rook b8; pawns f3/h5. Black: king c5; rook a5; pawns b4/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rb5 — rook a5→b5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxb5+ — rook b8→b5, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb5 (king c5→b5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxb5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1R6/8/8/r1k3pP/1p6/5PK1/8/8 b - - 3 57

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