Chess Puzzle #8A5NQ — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2193 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move.

Position

White: king c5; rook a1; bishop f4; pawns c7/d5/e3/h4. Black: king d8; rook a6; bishop d3; pawns a2/e4/f5/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc8 — king d8→c8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rg1 — rook a1→g1. Opponent replies Kb7 (king c8→b7).
  3. Best move: Rg8 — rook g1→g8. Opponent replies Ra5+ (rook a6→a5, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kd6 — king c5→d6.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move is Rg1.

Position data

FEN: 3k4/2P5/r7/2KP1p1p/4pB1P/3bP3/p7/R7 b - - 0 53

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