Chess Puzzle #LgzM7 — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2400 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, hanging piece, very long.

Position

White: king d4; rook d3; pawns a4/b4. Black: king c6; rook e2; pawn d2. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d1=Q — pawn d2→d1, promotes to queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd1 — rook d3→d1, captures queen. Opponent replies Ra2 (rook e2→a2).
  3. Best move: Rc1+ — rook d1→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kb6 (king c6→b6).
  4. Best move: a5+ — pawn a4→a5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb5 (king b6→b5).
  5. Best move: Rc7 — rook c1→c7.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, hanging piece, very long. The key move Rxd1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2k5/8/PP1K4/3R4/3pr3/8 b - - 2 56

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