Chess Puzzle #3zEBm — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2203 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king c1; rook h5; pawn d4. Black: king a2; rook b4; pawn a3. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d5 — pawn d4→d5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc4+ — rook b4→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
  3. Best move: Kb2 — king a2→b2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move is Rc4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/7R/1r1P4/p7/k7/2K5 w - - 2 63

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