Chess Puzzle #0BxyN — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1118 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, master, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen e4; rook d2; pawns a3/b3/c2/f4/g3/h2. Black: king a7; queen c5; rook c3; pawns a6/b7/d3/f6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kb2 — king b1→b2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc2+ — rook c3→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc2 (rook d2→c2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen c5→c2, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move Rxc2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/kp6/p4p2/2q4p/4QP2/PPrp2P1/2PR3P/1K6 w - - 0 37

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