Chess Puzzle #MfC0a — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1985 · Advanced · crushing, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king d3; rooks b3/g2; pawns c3/d4/f4/h2. Black: king h5; rooks c4/c6; pawns d5/e6/f5/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra6 — rook c6→a6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rb8 — rook b3→b8. Opponent replies Rxc3+ (rook c4→c3, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxc3 — king d3→c3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, short. The key move is Rb8.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2r1p3/3p1p1k/2rP1P1p/1RPK4/6RP/8 b - - 0 42

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