Chess Puzzle #772wv — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1450 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king b2; rook d3; pawns e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king e6; rook b4; pawns b3/e5/f4/g5/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd4 — rook b4→d4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d3→d4, captures rook. Opponent replies exd4 (pawn e5→d4, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kxb3 — king b2→b3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/4k3/4p1p1/1r2Pp2/1p1R1P2/1K4PP/8 b - - 1 38

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