Chess Puzzle #HOlR5 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

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

Position

White: king h3; rook a5; pawns a4/f3. Black: king g5; rook b2; pawns b5/f7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rb3 — rook b2→b3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxb5+ — rook a5→b5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f7→f5).
  3. Best move: Rxb3 — rook b5→b3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxb5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/8/Rp4k1/P7/5P1K/1r6/8 b - - 0 46

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