Chess Puzzle #mre7x — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Rating 1944 · Advanced · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king g3; rook b7; pawns a5/f3/h4. Black: king f7; rook a6; pawns e5/f6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke6 — king f7→e6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rb6+ — rook b7→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb6 (rook a6→b6, captures rook).
  3. Best move: axb6 — pawn a5→b6, captures rook. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e6→d6).
  4. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move is Rb6+.

Position data

FEN: 8/1R3kp1/r4p2/P3p3/7P/5PK1/8/8 b - - 2 42

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