Chess Puzzle #6W0Eg — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1584 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g3; rook c1; pawns c7/e5/g5/h4. Black: king d7; rook c8; pawns a7/d5/e6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc7 — rook c8→c7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc7+ — rook c1→c7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc7 (king d7→c7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/p1Pk1pp1/4p3/3pP1P1/7P/6K1/8/2R5 b - - 0 36

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