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

Rating 2145 · Expert · crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, rook endgame, zugzwang.

Position

White: king d3; rook g6; pawns b4/h4. Black: king e7; rook d5; pawns b5/d4/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd7 — king e7→d7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ke4 — king d3→e4. Opponent replies Rd6 (rook d5→d6).
  3. Best move: Rxd6+ — rook g6→d6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd6 (king d7→d6, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Kxd4 — king e4→d4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, rook endgame, zugzwang. The key move Rxd6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/4k3/6R1/1p1r3p/1P1p3P/3K4/8/8 b - - 9 56

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.