Chess Puzzle #56POU — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1419 · Intermediate · advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g2; rook c7; pawn b5. Black: king f5; bishop c5; pawns b6/g5/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g4 — pawn g5→g4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc5+ — rook c7→c5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies bxc5 (pawn b6→c5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies c4 (pawn c5→c4).
  4. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, sacrifice. The key move Rxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2R5/1p6/1Pb2kpp/8/8/6K1/8 b - - 1 48

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