Chess Puzzle #1lu17 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1354 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king e3; rook d2; pawns a2/b2/c3/e4/g3. Black: king e5; rook d6; pawns a7/b6/d3/g5/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd3 — rook d2→d3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd3+ — rook d6→d3, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd3 (king e3→d3, captures rook).
  3. Best move: h5 — pawn h7→h5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxd3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p6p/1p1r4/4k1p1/4P3/2PpK1P1/PP1R4/8 w - - 0 30

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