Chess Puzzle #ROCpr — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2307 · Expert · clearance, crushing, defensive move, endgame, queen rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king h2; rooks d1/f1; pawns a3/b3/c2/c4/e4/f3/h3. Black: king h8; queen e6; pawns a6/b7/c5/c6/e5/f4/f7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f5 — pawn f7→f5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
  3. Best move: Rfd1 — rook f1→d1.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, defensive move, endgame, queen rook endgame, short. The key move is Rd8+.

Position data

FEN: 7k/1p3p2/p1p1q3/2p1p2p/2P1Pp2/PP3P1P/2P4K/3R1R2 b - - 1 26

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