Chess Puzzle #4eQZB — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1560 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f3; rook b8; pawns b3/c4. Black: king d4; rook a3; pawns a5/c5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rb5 — rook b8→b5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies Ra5 (rook b5→a5).
  3. Best move: Rxb3+ — rook a3→b3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxb3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1R6/8/8/p1p5/2Pk4/rP3K2/8/8 w - - 4 59

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