Chess Puzzle #xnOxW — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2259 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king f3; rook e2; pawns b2/g2/h3. Black: king f5; rook c4; pawns b4/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke3 — king f3→e3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re4+ — rook c4→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king e3→f2).
  3. Best move: Rxe2+ — rook e4→e2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe2 (king f2→e2, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Kf4 — king f5→f4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, long, rook endgame. The key move Rxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/6p1/5k1p/1pr5/5K1P/1P2R1P1/8 w - - 2 40

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