Chess Puzzle #CQXub — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1543 · Intermediate · crushing, deflection, endgame, short.

Position

White: king f3; rook e7; pawns a4/e3/f5/h7. Black: king b7; rook h8; bishop c7; pawns a6/c6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kb6 — king b7→b6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: a5+ — pawn a4→a5, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa5 (king b6→a5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Rxc7 — rook e7→c7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is a5+.

Position data

FEN: 7r/1kb1R2P/p1p5/5P2/P7/4PK2/8/8 b - - 0 60

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