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

Rating 2481 · Master · crushing, defensive move, middlegame, very long.

Position

White: king g2; rooks c4/d1; bishop e4; pawns a4/b4/g3/h4. Black: king b8; rooks h6/h8; bishop b6; knight e2; pawn a7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg8 — rook h8→g8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd7 — rook d1→d7. Opponent replies Rxg3+ (rook g8→g3, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kf1 — king g2→f1. Opponent replies Rf6+ (rook h6→f6, gives check).
  4. Best move: Ke1 — king f1→e1. Opponent replies Rg1+ (rook g3→g1, gives check).
  5. Best move: Kd2 — king e1→d2. Opponent replies Rd6+ (rook f6→d6, gives check).
  6. Best move: Rxd6 — rook d7→d6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, middlegame, very long. The key move is Rd7.

Position data

FEN: 1k5r/p7/1b5r/8/PPR1B2P/6P1/4n1K1/3R4 b - - 0 39

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