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

Rating 2224 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, very long.

Position

White: king c2; rook d4; pawns a4/b5/c6/e3/h4. Black: king e5; rook a1; pawns a7/b6/c7/f5/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd3 — king c2→d3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook a1→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Kc4 (king d3→c4).
  3. Best move: Rxd4+ — rook d1→d4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies exd4+ (pawn e3→d4, captures rook, gives check).
  4. Best move: Ke4 — king e5→e4. Opponent replies d5 (pawn d4→d5).
  5. Best move: Ke5 — king e4→e5. Opponent replies d6 (pawn d5→d6).
  6. Best move: Kxd6 — king e5→d6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd4 (king c4→d4).
  7. Best move: Ke6 — king d6→e6.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, rook endgame, very long. The key move Rxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1p5/1pP5/1P2kp1p/P2R3P/4P3/2K5/r7 w - - 25 59

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