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

Rating 1947 · Advanced · crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame, trapped piece.

Position

White: king c3; rook b4; pawn b3. Black: king c5; rook a3; pawn a7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a7→a5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc4+ — rook b4→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c5→d6).
  3. Best move: Kb2 — king c3→b2. Opponent replies Ra1 (rook a3→a1).
  4. Best move: Kxa1 — king b2→a1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame, trapped piece. The key move is Rc4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/p7/8/2k5/1R6/rPK5/8/8 b - - 10 52

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