Chess Puzzle #ba7sn — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2233 · Expert · attraction, crushing, endgame, fork, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king b1; rook c6; pawns a3/b2/c3. Black: king a5; rook f5; pawns a4/b5/c5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc5+ — rook c6→c5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc5 (rook f5→c5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: axb4+ — pawn a3→b4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb6 (king a5→b6).
  4. Best move: bxc5+ — pawn b4→c5, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2R5/kpp2r2/p7/P1P5/1P6/1K6 b - - 5 60

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