Chess Puzzle #1xb2a — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1273 · Intermediate · advantage, defensive move, discovered attack, endgame, long.

Position

White: king e2; rook d1; bishop b3; pawns a4/c4/f2/f3/h3. Black: king f8; rook c7; bishop e7; pawns b6/e5/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf7 — king f8→f7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: c5+ — pawn c4→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f7→g7).
  3. Best move: cxb6 — pawn c5→b6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rb7 (rook c7→b7).
  4. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, discovered attack, endgame, long. The key move is c5+.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/2r1b2p/1p4p1/4pp2/P1P5/1B3P1P/4KP2/3R4 b - - 0 33

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