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

Rating 2404 · Master · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, very long, zugzwang.

Position

White: king h3; rook d5; pawns f4/g3/h4. Black: king f7; rook e3; pawns f5/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re5 — rook d5→e5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe5 — rook e3→e5, captures rook. Opponent replies fxe5 (pawn f4→e5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Ke6 — king f7→e6. Opponent replies Kg2 (king h3→g2).
  4. Best move: Kxe5 — king e6→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kf3 (king g2→f3).
  5. Best move: f4 — pawn f5→f4. Opponent replies gxf4+ (pawn g3→f4, captures pawn, gives check).
  6. Best move: Kf5 — king e5→f5. Opponent replies Kg3 (king f3→g3).
  7. Best move: Ke4 — king f5→e4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move Rxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5k2/6p1/3R1p1p/5P1P/4r1PK/8/8 w - - 20 52

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