Chess Puzzle #GAN3X — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h4; rook b1; pawns a2/d7/e3/e5/f4. Black: king f7; rook c2; pawns a7/b2/b6/f5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke7 — king f7→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd1 — rook b1→d1. Opponent replies Kd8 (king e7→d8).
3. Best move: e6 — pawn e5→e6. Opponent replies b1=Q (pawn b2→b1, promotes to queen).
4. Best move: e7+ — pawn e6→e7, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame. The key move is Rd1.

Position data

FEN: 8/p2P1k2/1p5p/4Pp2/5P1K/4P3/Ppr5/1R6 b - - 0 35

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.