Chess Puzzle #RAW5O — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2230 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long.

Position

White: king f3; rook b5; pawns b3/g3/h4. Black: king h6; rook g4; pawns a5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rb4 — rook g4→b4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxb4 — rook b5→b4, captures rook. Opponent replies axb4 (pawn a5→b4, captures rook).
  3. Best move: g4 — pawn g3→g4. Opponent replies g5 (pawn g6→g5).
  4. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h6→g7).
  5. Best move: Ke4 — king f3→e4. Opponent replies Kf6 (king g7→f6).
  6. Best move: Kd5 — king e4→d5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/6pk/pR6/6rP/1P3KP1/8/8 b - - 8 36

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