Chess Puzzle #7DVG4 — Advanced, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1978 · Advanced · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long.

Position

White: king d4; rooks b4/e1; pawns b3/h2. Black: king c6; rook b2; bishop e4; pawns a5/d3/d5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc1+ — rook e1→c1, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc2 — rook b2→c2. Opponent replies Rb8 (rook b4→b8).
  3. Best move: Kc7 — king c6→c7. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook c1→d1).
  4. Best move: Kxb8 — king c7→b8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Rc2.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2k5/p2p4/1R1Kb3/1P1p4/1r5P/4R3 w - - 0 50

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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