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

Rating 2299 · Expert · crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f4; rook d1; pawns a2/b3/d6/g5/h4. Black: king f7; rook d8; pawns a7/b7/f5/f6/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke6 — king f7→e6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Re1+ — rook d1→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king e6→f7).
  3. Best move: Re7+ — rook e1→e7, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move is Re1+.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/pp3k2/3P1pp1/5pP1/5K1P/1P6/P7/3R4 b - - 0 38

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.