Chess Puzzle #5NZvS — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1490 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long.

Position

White: king f3; rook d3; bishop a2; pawns e5/f4/g3/h4. Black: king e7; rook d7; bishop d4; pawns f5/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bb6 — bishop d4→b6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd7+ — rook d3→d7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king e7→d7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Bxf7 — bishop a2→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ke7 (king d7→e7).
  4. Best move: Bxg6 — bishop f7→g6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Rxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/3rkp2/6p1/4Pp1p/3b1P1P/3R1KP1/B7/8 b - - 4 48

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