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

Rating 1038 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame, X-ray attack.

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/d3; pawns a2/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks b8/c8; pawns c2/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd2 — rook d3→d2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rb1 — rook b8→b1. Opponent replies Rxc2 (rook d2→c2, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook b1→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook c2→c1, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame, X-ray attack. The key move Rxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1rr3k1/5p1p/6p1/8/8/3R2P1/P1p1PP1P/2R3K1 w - - 0 29

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