Chess Puzzle #1fabp — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2026 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g3; rook c7; pawns a4/b5/e3/g4. Black: king g6; rook e5; pawns a5/b6/c4/e4/f6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc5 — rook e5→c5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c7→c5, captures rook. Opponent replies bxc5 (pawn b6→c5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kf2 — king g3→f2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/2R5/1p3pk1/pP2r3/P1p1p1P1/4P1K1/8/8 b - - 1 46

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