Chess Puzzle #1qF5C — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1246 · Intermediate · crushing, deflection, endgame, short.

Position

White: king e3; rook f2; bishop d1; pawns a2/b3/g3/h2. Black: king e5; rook d4; bishop f5; pawns a7/b6/d3/g4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b6→b5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf5+ — rook f2→f5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf5 (king e5→f5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kxd4 — king e3→d4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move Rxf5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p7/1p6/4kb2/3r2p1/1P1pK1P1/P4R1P/3B4 b - - 2 42

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