Chess Puzzle #1MDb2 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1262 · Intermediate · crushing, discovered attack, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king d2; rook d1; pawns a5/b4/d4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king d5; rook e8; pawns a6/b5/c4/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxd4 — king d5→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kc2+ — king d2→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Ke3 (king d4→e3).
  3. Best move: Re1+ — rook d1→e1, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move is Kc2+.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/5ppp/p7/Pp1k4/1PpP4/5P1P/3K2P1/3R4 b - - 0 33

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