Chess Puzzle #9CIM0 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1534 · Intermediate · advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, long.

Position

White: king f3; rook c1; pawns a4/b2/b3/g3/h4. Black: king d3; knight g4; pawns a6/b7/c5/e3/f5/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc3+ — rook c1→c3, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kd2 — king d3→d2. Opponent replies Rxc5 (rook c3→c5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: e2 — pawn e3→e2. Opponent replies Rd5+ (rook c5→d5, gives check).
  4. Best move: Ke1 — king d2→e1.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Kd2.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p6/p7/2p2p1p/P5nP/1P1kpKP1/1P6/2R5 w - - 3 37

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