Chess Puzzle #18BCS — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1132 · Beginner · advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, quiet move, rook endgame.

Position

White: king g1; rook d4; pawns b4/b5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rook b2; pawns d2/f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b2→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
  3. Best move: d1=Q — pawn d2→d1, promotes to queen. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook d4→d1, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxd1 — rook b1→d1, captures rook. Opponent replies b7 (pawn b6→b7).
  5. Best move: Rd8 — rook d1→d8. Opponent replies b8=Q (pawn b7→b8, promotes to queen).
  6. Best move: Rxb8 — rook d8→b8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move is Rb1+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p2/6p1/1P5p/1P1R4/6P1/1r1p1P1P/6K1 w - - 0 39

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