Chess Puzzle #HZv8x — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1437 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king e2; rooks d1/d2; pawns a5/b4/c3/f2/h3/h5. Black: king f4; rooks d5/d8; pawns a6/b7/e4/e5/g5/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd2+ — rook d5→d2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd2 (rook d1→d2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd2+ — rook d8→d2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd2 (king e2→d2, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Kf3 — king f4→f3.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r4/1p6/p6p/P2rp1pP/1P2pk2/2P4P/3RKP2/3R4 w - - 0 39

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