Chess Puzzle #Emxb3 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1468 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f3; rook d4; pawns a2/b2/c3/f4/g4. Black: king c6; rook f6; pawns a7/b7/e5/g5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra4 — rook d4→a4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf4+ — rook f6→f4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf4 (rook a4→f4, captures rook).
  3. Best move: exf4 — pawn e5→f4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp6/2k2r2/4p1p1/3R1PP1/2P2K2/PP6/8 w - - 0 36

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