Chess Puzzle #51gCG — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1226 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king f3; rook c5; pawns f2/h3. Black: king f5; rook e7; pawns f4/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re5 — rook e7→e5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe5+ — rook c5→e5, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe5 (king f5→e5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kg4 — king f3→g4. Opponent replies Ke4 (king e5→e4).
  4. Best move: Kxh4 — king g4→h4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move Rxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/4r3/8/2R2k2/5p1p/5K1P/5P2/8 b - - 6 50

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