Chess Puzzle #0C479 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1130 · Beginner · crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen h5; rooks a1/e1; bishop d3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks a8/e8; bishop b7; knight g6; pawns a6/c6/d7/f5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxf4 — knight g6→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen h5→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/1b1p2pp/p1p3n1/2q2p1Q/2P2P2/2NB4/PP4PP/R3R2K b - - 1 17

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