Chess Puzzle #MUgMJ — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1424 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, master, short.

Position

White: king e3; rook h6; pawns c4/g4/h3. Black: king c5; bishop c6; knight c3; pawns a5/c7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight c3→e4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc6+ — rook h6→c6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc6 (king c5→c6, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kxe4 — king e3→e4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move Rxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p5/2b4R/p1k5/2P3P1/2n1K2P/8/8 b - - 1 39

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