Chess Puzzle #4RdG4 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1445 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f2; rook c5; pawns a4/b4/g2/h4. Black: king b6; rook e4; pawns f5/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb4 — rook e4→b4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rb5+ — rook c5→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb5 (rook b4→b5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: axb5 — pawn a4→b5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move is Rb5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1k4p1/2R2p1p/PP2r2P/8/5KP1/8 b - - 2 44

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