Chess Puzzle #XzlQ7 — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Rating 1804 · Advanced · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame.

Position

White: king c8; rook c7; pawn d7. Black: king f8; rook e3; pawn h2. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd3 — rook e3→d3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1 — rook c7→c1. Opponent replies h1=Q (pawn h2→h1, promotes to queen).
  3. Best move: Rxh1 — rook c1→h1, captures queen. Opponent replies Rc3+ (rook d3→c3, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kd8 — king c8→d8.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame. The key move is Rc1.

Position data

FEN: 2K2k2/2RP4/8/8/8/4r3/7p/8 b - - 0 79

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