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

Rating 2551 · Master · advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame.

Position

White: king c5; rook b5; pawns c6/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c7; rook d8; pawns e4/e5/f5/g5/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f4 — pawn f5→f4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rb7+ — rook b5→b7, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king c7→c8).
  3. Best move: Rd7 — rook b7→d7. Opponent replies Rxd7 (rook d8→d7, captures rook).
  4. Best move: cxd7+ — pawn c6→d7, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move cxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/2k5/2P5/1RK1pppp/4p3/4P3/5PPP/8 b - - 2 34

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