Chess Puzzle #5MaNH — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; rook b6; bishop f1; pawns c5/e3/e5/f4/h5. Black: king d7; rook c7; bishop c6; pawns b5/d5/e6/f5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb7 — rook c7→b7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb7+ — rook b6→b7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxb7 (bishop c6→b7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Kc3 — king d3→c3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move Rxb7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2rk4/1Rb1p2p/1pPpPp1P/5P2/3KP3/8/5B2 b - - 2 38

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