Chess Puzzle #nW1eS — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2294 · Expert · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king e2; rook c8; pawns e3/f2/g4/h3. Black: king d5; rook c1; pawns c2/e6/f5/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke4 — king d5→e4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc5 — rook c8→c5. Opponent replies Re1+ (rook c1→e1, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxe1 — king e2→e1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move is Rc5.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/8/4p2p/3k1pp1/6P1/4P2P/2p1KP2/2r5 b - - 6 41

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