Chess Puzzle #0aqZ5 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 974 · Beginner · advantage, endgame, master, short.

Position

White: king g2; queen e4; rooks b1/d3; pawns a4/c5/d4/f2/g4. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks c7/d5; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: bxa4 — pawn b5→a4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b1→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen f6→d8).
  3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook b8→d8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, master, short. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2r2pp1/p3pq1p/1pPr4/P2PQ1P1/3R4/5PK1/1R6 b - - 0 31

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