Chess Puzzle #0Z28Q — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 706 · Beginner · middlegame.

Position

White: king h1; queen f2; rook a3; bishop e3; pawns a2/b2/e5/f3/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen g5; rooks e7/g8; bishop c6; pawns b7/e6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxe5 — queen g5→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a3→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Qb8 (queen e5→b8).
  3. Best move: Rxb8+ — rook a8→b8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

middlegame. The key move Rxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k3r1/1p2r3/2b1p2p/4P1q1/8/R3BP1P/PP3QP1/7K b - - 8 33

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