Chess Puzzle #AmA80 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2716 · Master · advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, promotion, rook endgame, very long.

Position

White: king c5; rook b7; pawns c6/e3/f3/g2/g3. Black: king f6; rooks c7/d8; pawns f5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rdc8 — rook d8→c8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc7 — rook b7→c7, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc7 (rook c8→c7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kb6 — king c5→b6. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c7→c8).
  4. Best move: Kb7 — king b6→b7. Opponent replies Re8 (rook c8→e8).
  5. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7. Opponent replies Rxe3 (rook e8→e3, captures pawn).
  6. Best move: c8=Q — pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, promotion, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/1Rr3p1/2P2k1p/2K2p2/8/4PPP1/6P1/8 b - - 6 41

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