Chess Puzzle #ZN98d — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2003 · Expert · crushing, endgame, short, skewer.

Position

White: king h2; rook a1; bishop g2; pawns c6/f2/f4/g3/h5. Black: king g7; rook c7; bishop a6; pawns c4/c5/f5/f6/g4/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bb5 — bishop a6→b5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra5 — rook a1→a5. Opponent replies Bxc6 (bishop b5→c6, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Rxc5 — rook a5→c5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Ra5.

Position data

FEN: 8/2r3k1/b1P2p1p/2p2p1P/2p2Pp1/6P1/5PBK/R7 b - - 2 33

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