Chess Puzzle #1MQOY — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1322 · Intermediate · endgame, equality, pin, short.

Position

White: king f3; knight d5; pawns a2/b4/f4/g5. Black: king f5; rook a6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc3 — knight d5→c3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra3 — rook a6→a3. Opponent replies Ke3 (king f3→e3).
  3. Best move: Rxc3+ — rook a3→c3, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, pin, short. The key move Rxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/r7/3N1kP1/1P3P2/5K2/P7/8 w - - 3 49

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