Chess Puzzle #iRHxL — Master, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2423 · Master · advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, rook endgame.

Position

White: king a1; rook d3. Black: king c2; pawns a3/b4/c3. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re3 — rook d3→e3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: b3 — pawn b4→b3. Opponent replies Re2+ (rook e3→e2, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kc1 — king c2→c1. Opponent replies Re1+ (rook e2→e1, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kd2 — king c1→d2. Opponent replies Rh1 (rook e1→h1).
  5. Best move: b2+ — pawn b3→b2, gives check. Opponent replies Ka2 (king a1→a2).
  6. Best move: c2 — pawn c3→c2.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, rook endgame, very long. The key move is b3.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/8/1p6/p1pR4/2k5/K7 w - - 1 79

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