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

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

Position

White: king c1; rook b6; pawns b4/c5. Black: king a7; rook a2; pawns a6/c2. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ka8 — king a7→a8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Opponent replies Ra1+ (rook a2→a1, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxc2 — king c1→c2, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, rook endgame, short. The key move is c6.

Position data

FEN: 8/k7/pR6/2P5/1P6/8/r1p5/2K5 b - - 3 49

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