Chess Puzzle #0fe1g — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1050 · Beginner · crushing, deflection, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king c1; rooks d1/h1; bishops e3/f1; knight b3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f3/f6/h5. Black: king g8; queen c3; rooks a8/d8; bishops e6/e7; knight b8; pawns a6/b5/e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ba3+ — bishop e7→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The key move Rxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn1r2k1/4bppp/p3bP2/1p2p2P/4P3/1Nq1BP2/PPP5/2KR1B1R w - - 0 17

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