Chess Puzzle #7XxAU — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1525 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, very long.

Position

White: king d5; rook c4; pawns e5/g4/h5. Black: king f7; rook a6; pawns g5/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc6 — rook c4→c6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc6 — rook a6→c6, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxc6 (king d5→c6, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Ke6 — king f7→e6. Opponent replies h6 (pawn h5→h6).
  4. Best move: gxh6 — pawn g7→h6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kc5 (king c6→c5).
  5. Best move: Kxe5 — king e6→e5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5kp1/r7/3KP1pP/2R3P1/8/8/8 w - - 2 44

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