Chess Puzzle #30Apj — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1058 · Beginner · advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, pin, rook endgame.

Position

White: king g1; rook c7; pawns a2/d6/e3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook f8; pawns a7/b6/f6/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook f8→e8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook e8→d8).
  3. Best move: Rc8 — rook c7→c8. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
  4. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, pin, rook endgame. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p1R5/1p1P1ppp/8/8/4P3/P5PP/6K1 b - - 0 27

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