Chess Puzzle #3NRsY — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1063 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, fork, short.

Position

White: king e3; rook c7; pawns a3/b4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king d5; bishops b5/e7; pawns e5/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bf6 — bishop e7→f6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc5+ — rook c7→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king d5→d6).
  3. Best move: Rxb5 — rook c5→b5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Rc5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/2R1b1p1/7p/1b1kpp2/1P6/P3KP1P/6P1/8 b - - 1 40

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