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

Rating 2270 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, short.

Position

White: king c4; rook b7; knight e5; pawns c7/d4/e3/f4/g3. Black: king g8; rooks f8/h1; pawns e4/e6/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook f8→c8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kc5 — king c4→c5. Opponent replies Rc1+ (rook h1→c1, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kd6 — king c5→d6.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is Kc5.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1RP3pp/4p3/4Np2/2KPpP2/4P1P1/8/7r b - - 6 38

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