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

Rating 2149 · Expert · advantage, defensive move, endgame, very long.

Position

White: king h1; rooks c5/e6; pawns a2/b2/g3/h2. Black: king b7; rook f2; bishop f8; knight h8; pawns a6/e7/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook f2→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rf5 — rook c5→f5. Opponent replies Rb1+ (rook b2→b1, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kg2 — king h1→g2. Opponent replies Rb6 (rook b1→b6).
  4. Best move: Rxb6+ — rook e6→b6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb6 (king b7→b6, captures rook).
  5. Best move: Rxf8 — rook f5→f8, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move Rxb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5b1n/1k2p3/p3R2p/2R3p1/8/6P1/PP3r1P/7K b - - 0 25

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