Chess Puzzle #nc3By — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2126 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king b4; rook b5; pawns a6/e4. Black: king h5; rook a2; pawns f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g6→g5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra5 — rook b5→a5. Opponent replies Rb2+ (rook a2→b2, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kc5 — king b4→c5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move is Ra5.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/P5p1/1R5k/1K2P3/8/r7/8 b - - 2 51

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