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

Position

White: king c3; rooks b8/d7; knight b3; pawns a3/e6/g3/h2. Black: king a6; rooks e1/e2; bishop g7; pawns a7/e7/f6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re3+ — rook e2→e3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kc4 — king c3→c4. Opponent replies Re4+ (rook e3→e4, gives check).
3. Best move: Kd5 — king c4→d5. Opponent replies Re5+ (rook e4→e5, gives check).
4. Best move: Kc6 — king d5→c6. Opponent replies Rxe6+ (rook e5→e6, captures pawn, gives check).
5. Best move: Kc7 — king c6→c7. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f6→f5).
6. Best move: Nc5+ — knight b3→c5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move is Kc4.

Position data

FEN: 1R6/p2Rp1bp/k3Pp2/8/8/PNK3P1/4r2P/4r3 b - - 11 39

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.