Chess Puzzle #1Zdev — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 876 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, skewer.

Position

White: king d6; rook c1; pawns a2/b3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rook d8; pawns a6/c6/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxc6 — king d6→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook d8→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kb7 (king c6→b7).
  3. Best move: Rxc1 — rook c8→c1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/6pp/p1pK1p2/8/8/1P4P1/P4P1P/2R5 w - - 1 30

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