Chess Puzzle #4KHkP — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1449 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g2; rook d5; pawns a5/f2/f4/g3/h4. Black: king h7; rook b3; pawns a6/b7/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rb5 — rook b3→b5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxb5 — rook d5→b5, captures rook. Opponent replies axb5 (pawn a6→b5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kf3 — king g2→f3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p3p1k/p5p1/P2R3p/5P1P/1r4P1/5PK1/8 b - - 0 35

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