Chess Puzzle #27Xji — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; rook b1; pawns a4/b5/c5/f2/g3/h3. Black: king f7; rook d4; pawns a6/b7/e4/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa4 — rook d4→a4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Opponent replies bxc6 (pawn b7→c6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies Rd4 (rook a4→d4).
4. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move is c6.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p3kp1/p6p/1PP2p2/P2rp3/6PP/5PK1/1R6 b - - 0 39

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.