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

Position

White: king d5; rook b5; pawn b6. Black: king h5; rook c3; pawns f4/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f3 — pawn f4→f3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7. Opponent replies f2 (pawn f3→f2).
3. Best move: b8=Q — pawn b7→b8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies Rd3+ (rook c3→d3, gives check).
4. Best move: Kc4 — king d5→c4. Opponent replies f1=Q (pawn f2→f1, promotes to queen).
5. Best move: Qe8+ — queen b8→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh4 (king h5→h4).
6. Best move: Qe4+ — queen e8→e4, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, promotion, rook endgame, very long. The key move is b7.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1P6/1R1K2pk/5p2/2r5/8/8 b - - 3 62

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.