Chess Puzzle #CSo2h — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2708 · Master · crushing, endgame, interference, intermezzo, very long.

Position

White: king c3; rook h2; knight e5; pawns a4/b3/c5/g2. Black: king h8; rooks g4/g8; pawns a5/c6/d7/e6/f5/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxg2 — rook g4→g2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nf7+ — knight e5→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
  3. Best move: Rxg2+ — rook h2→g2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king g7→f7, captures knight).
  4. Best move: Rxg8 — rook g2→g8, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxg8 (king f7→g8, captures rook).
  5. Best move: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
  6. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies cxb5 (pawn c6→b5, captures pawn).
  7. Best move: axb5 — pawn a4→b5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, interference, intermezzo, very long. The key move Rxg2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6rk/3p3p/2p1p3/p1P1Np2/P5r1/1PK5/6PR/8 b - - 4 33

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