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

Rating 2580 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long.

Position

White: king b4; rook d4; pawns a4/h4. Black: king h5; rook e5; pawns f5/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re4 — rook e5→e4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe4 — rook d4→e4, captures rook. Opponent replies fxe4 (pawn f5→e4, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kc3 — king b4→c3. Opponent replies Kg4 (king h5→g4).
  4. Best move: Kd2 — king c3→d2. Opponent replies Kf4 (king g4→f4).
  5. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies Kf3 (king f4→f3).
  6. Best move: Ke1 — king d2→e1.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/6pp/4rp1k/PK1R3P/8/8/8 b - - 0 42

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