Chess Puzzle #BVKWM — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2762 · Master · crushing, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king f4; rook a6; pawns f3/g2/h4. Black: king e6; rook d3; pawns f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd6 — rook d3→d6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd6+ — rook a6→d6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd6 (king e6→d6, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kg5 — king f4→g5. Opponent replies Ke5 (king d6→e5).
  4. Best move: g3 — pawn g2→g3. Opponent replies Ke6 (king e5→e6).
  5. Best move: f4 — pawn f3→f4. Opponent replies f6+ (pawn f7→f6, gives check).
  6. Best move: Kxg6 — king g5→g6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move Rxd6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/R3k1p1/7p/5K1P/3r1P2/6P1/8 b - - 3 36

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