Chess Puzzle #Z1Gor — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2696 · Master · crushing, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame.

Position

White: king c3; rook b5; pawns a4/f5/g2/h2. Black: king d5; rook c8; pawns c4/d3/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc5 — rook c8→c5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc5+ — rook b5→c5, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc5 (king d5→c5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies d2 (pawn d3→d2).
  4. Best move: Kxd2 — king c3→d2, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame. The key move Rxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/6p1/7p/1R1k1P2/P1p5/2Kp4/6PP/8 b - - 3 45

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.