Chess Puzzle #xguOB — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/f7; pawns a4/d3/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; rooks c8/h8; pawns a5/c2/d6/e5/f6/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf6 — rook f7→f6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ke7 — king d8→e7. Opponent replies Rg6 (rook f6→g6).
3. Best move: Rb8 — rook c8→b8. Opponent replies Rg7+ (rook g6→g7, gives check).
4. Best move: Kd8 — king e7→d8. Opponent replies Rc7 (rook g7→c7).
5. Best move: Kxc7 — king d8→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move is Ke7.

Position data

FEN: 2rk3r/5R2/3p1p1p/p3p3/P3P3/3P4/2p2PPP/2R3K1 w - - 1 26

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