Chess Puzzle #mcm5w — Master, White to move, endgame

Rating 2415 · Master · crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame, skewer.

Position

White: king g1; rook e8; pawns f2/g5. Black: king c6; rook c3; pawns d4/d6/e5/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d3 — pawn d4→d3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook e8→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd5 (king c6→d5).
  3. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Kd4 (king d5→d4).
  4. Best move: Rc6 — rook c3→c6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame, skewer. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: 4R3/7p/2kp4/4p1P1/3p4/2r5/5P2/6K1 b - - 0 34

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