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

Rating 2435 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, short.

Position

White: king c4; rook d8; bishop e4; pawns b4/e5/f4/g5. Black: king b6; rook c7; bishop b7; pawns c6/e6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c6→c5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd6+ — rook d8→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king b6→a7).
  3. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, short. The key move is Rd6+.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/1br2p2/1kp1p1p1/4P1P1/1PK1BP2/8/8/8 b - - 0 40

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.