Chess Puzzle #bxNC2 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2225 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, short.

Position

White: king f1; rook c8; pawns a3/c4/d3/e5. Black: king e6; bishop d2; pawns a7/d4/f3/g4/g5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re8+ — rook c8→e8, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kf7 — king e6→f7. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook e8→d8).
  3. Best move: g3 — pawn g4→g3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is Kf7.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/p7/4k3/4P1p1/2Pp2p1/P2P1p2/3b4/5K2 w - - 2 40

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