Chess Puzzle #QthUQ — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2096 · Expert · defensive move, endgame, equality, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king h2; rooks c6/h7; pawns c4/d6/g2/h3. Black: king b8; rooks a7/f8; pawns d4/e5/g5/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxh5 — rook h7→h5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: d3 — pawn d4→d3. Opponent replies Rc5 (rook c6→c5).
  3. Best move: e4 — pawn e5→e4.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, rook endgame, short. The key move is d3.

Position data

FEN: 1k3r2/r6R/2RP4/4p1pp/2Pp4/7P/6PK/8 w - - 1 44

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