Chess Puzzle #yXI9Y — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2492 · Master · crushing, defensive move, en passant, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame.

Position

White: king b2; rook g1; pawns a2/b3/e5/f2/g3. Black: king e7; rook c8; pawns b5/d5/f7/g4/g5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook g1→c1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc1 — rook c8→c1, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxc1 (king b2→c1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Opponent replies Kb2 (king c1→b2).
  4. Best move: Ke6 — king e7→e6. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a2→a4).
  5. Best move: bxa3+ — pawn b4→a3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa3 (king b2→a3, captures pawn).
  6. Best move: Kxe5 — king e6→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kb2 (king a3→b2).
  7. Best move: Kd4 — king e5→d4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, en passant, endgame, quiet move, rook endgame, very long. The key move bxa3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/4kp2/8/1p1pP1p1/6p1/1P4P1/PK3P2/6R1 w - - 0 34

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