Chess Puzzle #4xuUE — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1371 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook c6; bishop b5; pawns a4/b7. Black: king h8; rooks b2/f8; pawns a5/g3/g5/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook f8→d8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8 — rook c6→c8. Opponent replies Rb1+ (rook b2→b1, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kg2 — king g1→g2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is Rc8.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/1P5p/2R5/pB4p1/P7/6p1/1r6/6K1 b - - 2 37

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