Chess Puzzle #oc2R6 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2117 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king c1; queen b7; rooks f1/f7; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/d5. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks e4/f8; bishop h7; pawns a6/c5/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re1+ — rook e4→e1, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kd2 — king c1→d2. Opponent replies Qd4+ (queen c4→d4, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxe1 — king d2→e1, captures rook. Opponent replies Re8+ (rook f8→e8, gives check).
  4. Best move: Ne2 — knight c3→e2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Kd2.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1Q3R1b/p5p1/2pP3p/2q1r3/2N5/PP6/2K2R2 b - - 1 34

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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