Chess Puzzle #0RSfo — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1456 · Intermediate · endgame, equality, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook c1; bishop e3; pawns a3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b3; rooks b1/b8; pawns a5/d6/e5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxa3 — queen b3→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxb1 — rook c1→b1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxb1+ (rook b8→b1, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Qxb1 — queen e4→b1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move Rxb1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/5pp1/3p3p/p3p3/4Q3/Pq2B2P/5PP1/1rR3K1 b - - 0 27

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