Chess Puzzle #1YQ1y — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 801 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king d3; rook d4; pawns a3/b2/c3/f5/g4/h3. Black: king e7; rook e5; pawns a6/b5/d6/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re1 — rook e5→e1. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Re4+ — rook d4→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe4 (rook e1→e4, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kxe4 — king d3→e4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move is Re4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/4k1p1/p2p1p1p/1p2rP2/3R2P1/P1PK3P/1P6/8 b - - 2 36

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