Chess Puzzle #0e9br — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1479 · Intermediate · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen b1; rooks a1/h1; bishops e2/e3; knight f3; pawns a3/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h5; rooks e4/e8; bishop f5; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bd3 — bishop e2→d3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe3+ — rook e4→e3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies fxe3 (pawn f2→e3, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxe3+ — rook e8→e3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/ppp2ppp/2n5/3p1b1q/3Pr3/P1P1BN2/4BPPP/RQ2K2R w KQ - 14 18

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