Chess Puzzle #2NG8k — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1348 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f3; rook e1; pawns a4/b5/f2/g3/h4. Black: king f6; rooks e3/e7; pawns a5/b7/c7/f5/h5. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook e1→e3, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe3+ — rook e7→e3, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe3 (king f3→e3, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Ke5 — king f6→e5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1pp1r3/5k2/pP3p1p/P6P/4rKP1/5P2/4R3 w - - 0 36

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