Chess Puzzle #7PXek — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2260 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, very long.

Position

White: king h2; rook h7; bishop b6; pawns a7/c3/f2/g4/h6. Black: king e6; rooks a8/c8; pawns e4/e5/f4/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rh8 — rook c8→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh8 — rook h7→h8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxh8 (rook a8→h8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Bc7 — bishop b6→c7. Opponent replies e3 (pawn e4→e3).
  4. Best move: fxe3 — pawn f2→e3, captures pawn. Opponent replies fxe3 (pawn f4→e3, captures pawn).
  5. Best move: Kg2 — king h2→g2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move Rxh8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1r5/P6R/1B2k1pP/4p3/4ppP1/2P5/5P1K/8 b - - 1 39

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