Chess Puzzle #KWb8K — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2548 · Master · crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e2; rook f6; pawns f7/g4. Black: king d4; rook f8; pawns e3/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke4 — king d4→e4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rf5 — rook f6→f5. Opponent replies Kd4 (king e4→d4).
  3. Best move: Kf3 — king e2→f3. Opponent replies Kd3 (king d4→d3).
  4. Best move: Rd5+ — rook f5→d5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame, zugzwang. The key move is Rf5.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/5P2/5R2/6p1/3k2P1/4p3/4K3/8 b - - 7 49

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