Chess Puzzle #aZQLD — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2022 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king a3; rook c3; pawns a4/b4. Black: king e4; rook d3; pawns a6/b6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kb3 — king a3→b3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kd4 — king e4→d4. Opponent replies Rxd3+ (rook c3→d3, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxd3 — king d4→d3, captures rook. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b4→b5).
  4. Best move: a5 — pawn a6→a5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move is Kd4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/pp6/8/PP2k3/K1Rr4/8/8 w - - 3 51

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.