Chess Puzzle #dRc88 — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2385 · Expert · crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame, zugzwang.

Position

White: king b2; rook a3; pawns c3/d4. Black: king d3; rook c4; pawns a4/d5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ka2 — king b2→a2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kc2 — king d3→c2. Opponent replies Ka1 (king a2→a1).
  3. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c4→c3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ra2+ (rook a3→a2, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kb3 — king c2→b3.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame, zugzwang. The key move is Kc2.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/3p4/p1rP4/R1Pk4/1K6/8 w - - 8 54

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