Chess Puzzle #CQr4o — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2230 · Expert · advantage, defensive move, endgame, master, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen a6; rooks c1/g6; pawns a3/b4/c2. Black: king g8; queen c3; rooks d2/f8; pawns d6/e4/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook d2→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c1→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qb3+ (queen c3→b3, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kc1 — king b1→c1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, master, short. The key move Rxc2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/6p1/Q2p2R1/8/1P2p3/P1q5/2Pr4/1KR5 b - - 2 35

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