Chess Puzzle #C69TG — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2430 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, short.

Position

White: king b1; rook g7; knight f4; pawns a3/b4/c3/d4/e5/f2. Black: king c6; rooks h2/h3; pawns a4/b5/b6/d5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook h3→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ne6 — knight f4→e6. Opponent replies Rb3+ (rook c3→b3, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kc1 — king b1→c1.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, short. The key move is Ne6.

Position data

FEN: 8/6R1/1pk5/1p1pP3/pP1P1N2/P1P4r/5P1r/1K6 b - - 2 36

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