Chess Puzzle #zEJZt — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2304 · Expert · advantage, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long.

Position

White: king d3; rook c7; pawns c3/d4/f4/g3/h4. Black: king g8; rook b5; pawns a5/d5/f5/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (7 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc5 — rook c7→c5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc5 — rook b5→c5, captures rook. Opponent replies dxc5 (pawn d4→c5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kf7 — king g8→f7. Opponent replies Kd4 (king d3→d4).
  4. Best move: Ke6 — king f7→e6. Opponent replies c4 (pawn c3→c4).
  5. Best move: dxc4 — pawn d5→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxc4 (king d4→c4, captures pawn).
  6. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies Kb4 (king c4→b4).
  7. Best move: Kd5 — king e6→d5. Opponent replies Kb5 (king b4→b5).
  8. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2R5/6p1/pr1p1p1p/3P1P1P/2PK2P1/8/8 w - - 3 41

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