Chess Puzzle #YKq02 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2219 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f2; rook d4; pawns a2/b2/c3/f3/g2. Black: king e6; rook e5; knight e4; pawns a7/b6/g5/h4. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe4 — rook d4→e4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe4 — rook e5→e4, captures rook. Opponent replies fxe4 (pawn f3→e4, captures rook).
  3. Best move: g4 — pawn g5→g4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p7/1p2k3/4r1p1/3Rn2p/2P2P2/PP3KP1/8 w - - 0 39

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