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

Rating 2369 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame.

Position

White: king d7; rook h6; pawn b4. Black: king d5; rook e1; pawn h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re4 — rook e1→e4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies Rg4 (rook e4→g4).
  3. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies Rg7+ (rook g4→g7, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kc8 — king d7→c8.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame. The key move is b5.

Position data

FEN: 8/3K4/7R/3k4/1P5p/8/8/4r3 b - - 3 53

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