Chess Puzzle #AbCJb — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2281 · Expert · defensive move, endgame, equality, hanging piece, short.

Position

White: king e3; rooks a1/f3; knight e6; pawns a2/b2/c2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks d2/f7; pawns a7/b7/c6/e4/f5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: exf3 — pawn e4→f3, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kxd2 — king e3→d2, captures rook. Opponent replies Rd7+ (rook f7→d7, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kc3 — king d2→c3.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, hanging piece, short. The key move Kxd2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pp3rpp/2p1N3/5p2/4p3/4KR2/PPPr3P/R7 b - - 0 23

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