Chess Puzzle #DUgCN — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2495 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pin.

Position

White: king g2; rooks d2/h6; pawns a2/b3/g3/h5. Black: king e5; rook c3; bishop c5; pawns a5/d3/g4. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg6 — rook h6→g6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc2 — rook c3→c2. Opponent replies Rg5+ (rook g6→g5, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kd6 — king e5→d6. Opponent replies Rxg4 (rook g5→g4, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Rxd2+ — rook c2→d2, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pin. The key move Rxd2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/7R/p1b1k2P/6p1/1Prp2P1/P2R2K1/8 w - - 0 59

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