Chess Puzzle #8w0t8 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1455 · Intermediate · crushing, deflection, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king d3; rook f1; pawns a3/c4/d5/e4/h6. Black: king f3; rook f4; pawns d6/f2/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe4 — rook f4→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf2+ — rook f1→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf2 (king f3→f2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kxe4 — king d3→e4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxf2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/3p2pP/3P4/2P1Pr2/P2K1k2/5p2/5R2 b - - 0 56

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