Chess Puzzle #3pxc3 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1080 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, short, skewer.

Position

White: king g3; rook c1; bishop b2; pawns a2/b3/c4/d4/e3/g2/h4. Black: king g5; rook f8; bishop a6; pawns a7/c6/c7/d5/e6/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf5 — king g5→f5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook c1→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke4 (king f5→e4).
  3. Best move: Rxf8 — rook f1→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Rf1+.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/p1p5/b1p1p1p1/3p2kp/2PP3P/1P2P1K1/PB4P1/2R5 b - - 0 22

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