Chess Puzzle #gO3UB — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2695 · Master · crushing, deflection, endgame, short.

Position

White: king f3; rook d8; knight a5; pawns b4/c5/e5/f4. Black: king f5; rook c7; bishop e6; pawns b5/c6/d5/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g7→g5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook d8→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf7 (rook c7→f7).
  3. Best move: Nxc6 — knight a5→c6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is Rf8+.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/2r3p1/2p1b3/NpPpPk2/1P3P2/5K2/8/8 b - - 0 40

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