Chess Puzzle #V5OVA — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king c6; rook b2; pawn b5. Black: king e6; rook a5; pawn e5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e4 — pawn e5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies Ra6 (rook a5→a6).
3. Best move: Rb5 — rook b2→b5. Opponent replies e3 (pawn e4→e3).
4. Best move: Rb3 — rook b5→b3. Opponent replies e2 (pawn e3→e2).
5. Best move: Re3+ — rook b3→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf5 (king e6→f5).
6. Best move: Rxe2 — rook e3→e2, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, endgame, exposed king, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move is b6.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2K1k3/rP2p3/8/8/1R6/8 b - - 12 55

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