Chess Puzzle #M7bAb — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1583 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, hanging piece, short.

Position

White: king b5; bishop b4; pawns c3/h4. Black: king f5; rook b2; pawns a4/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb4+ — rook b2→b4, captures bishop, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kxb4 — king b5→b4, captures rook. Opponent replies Kg4 (king f5→g4).
  3. Best move: c4 — pawn c3→c4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, hanging piece, short. The key move Kxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/6p1/8/1K3k2/pB5P/2P5/1r6/8 b - - 7 55

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