Chess Puzzle #0cj96 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1004 · Beginner · crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks d1/e1; bishops d5/g5; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/f8; bishop g4; knights c6/g6; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rfe8 — rook f8→e8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e2→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/ppq2ppp/2n3n1/3B2B1/6b1/2P2N2/PP2QPP1/3RR1K1 b - - 2 17

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