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

Rating 2064 · Expert · advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king c3; rook e6; pawns b3/d6. Black: king g5; rook h2; pawns b5/f5/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra2 — rook h2→a2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7. Opponent replies b4+ (pawn b5→b4, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kd3 — king c3→d3. Opponent replies Ra8 (rook a2→a8).
  4. Best move: Re8 — rook e6→e8.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move is d7.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/3PR3/1p3pkp/8/1PK5/7r/8 b - - 0 44

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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