Chess Puzzle #D7rwj — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1752 · Advanced · crushing, endgame, pin, short.

Position

White: king b2; queen f5; rook a1; pawns a4/b4/d4. Black: king d7; queen c4; bishop f3; pawns a7/b7/c7/e4/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc6 — king d7→c6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1 — rook a1→c1. Opponent replies Qxc1+ (queen c4→c1, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxc1 — king b2→c1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move is Rc1.

Position data

FEN: 8/pppk4/8/5Q2/PPqPp2p/5b2/1K6/R7 b - - 3 39

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