Chess Puzzle #Hnepv — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1404 · Intermediate · advantage, endgame, short, zugzwang.

Position

White: king e5; rook e3; pawns b4/c5/d4/f2. Black: king e7; rook b3; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe3+ — rook b3→e3, captures rook, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: fxe3 — pawn f2→e3, captures rook. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e7→d7).
  3. Best move: Kf6 — king e5→f6.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short, zugzwang. The key move fxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p2k3/p3p3/2PpKp2/1P1P4/1r2R3/5P2/8 b - - 3 36

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