Chess Puzzle #x4D5k — Master, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2653 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long.

Position

White: king d3; rook d4; pawns a2/c2/c3. Black: king c6; rook g6; pawns a6/b5/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a2→a4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd6 — rook g6→d6. Opponent replies axb5+ (pawn a4→b5, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: axb5 — pawn a6→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ke4 (king d3→e4).
  4. Best move: Rxd4+ — rook d6→d4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies cxd4 (pawn c3→d4, captures rook).
  5. Best move: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Opponent replies Ke5 (king e4→e5).
  6. Best move: Kd7 — king c6→d7.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/6p1/p1k3r1/1p6/3R4/2PK4/P1P5/8 w - - 0 37

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