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

Rating 2547 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame.

Position

White: king a5; rook b6; pawn b4. Black: king c4; rook a8; pawn a6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra7 — rook a8→a7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rb8 — rook b6→b8. Opponent replies Re7 (rook a7→e7).
  3. Best move: Kxa6 — king a5→a6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Re6+ (rook e7→e6, gives check).
  4. Best move: Ka5 — king a6→a5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame. The key move is Rb8.

Position data

FEN: r7/8/pR6/K7/1Pk5/8/8/8 b - - 2 65

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