Chess Puzzle #FMzk4 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1500 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, master, rook endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e5; rook f6; pawn f3. Black: king g3; rook a4; pawn g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf4 — rook a4→f4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf4 — rook f6→f4, captures rook. Opponent replies gxf4 (pawn g5→f4, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Ke4 — king e5→e4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, rook endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move Rxf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/5R2/4K1p1/r7/5Pk1/8/8 b - - 0 54

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