Chess Puzzle #m3D2R — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2257 · Expert · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, very long.

Position

White: king d3; rook d5; pawns a4/b3/c4/e4/f3/g4. Black: king e6; rook e7; pawns a5/b6/c5/c7/f6/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook e7→d7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d5→d7, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king e6→d7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Ke3 — king d3→e3. Opponent replies Ke6 (king d7→e6).
  4. Best move: f4 — pawn f3→f4. Opponent replies gxf4+ (pawn g5→f4, captures pawn, gives check).
  5. Best move: Kxf4 — king e3→f4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p1r3/1p2kp2/p1pR2p1/P1P1P1P1/1P1K1P2/8/8 b - - 0 36

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