Chess Puzzle #9Kzie — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2197 · Expert · crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king d4; rook f7; pawns a5/b4. Black: king b8; rook b3; pawns b5/c4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb4 — rook b3→b4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kc5 — king d4→c5. Opponent replies Ra4 (rook b4→a4).
  3. Best move: Kb6 — king c5→b6. Opponent replies Kc8 (king b8→c8).
  4. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move is Kc5.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/5R2/8/Pp6/1PpK4/1r6/8/8 b - - 5 71

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