Chess Puzzle #7XsS6 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1455 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king e4; rook e5; pawns g3/h3. Black: king e6; rook d7; pawns c5/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd6 — king e6→d6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd5+ — rook e5→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king d6→e7).
  3. Best move: Rxd7+ — rook d5→d7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king e7→d7, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Kd5 — king e4→d5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move Rxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/3r4/4k1p1/2p1R3/4K3/6PP/8/8 b - - 0 41

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