Chess Puzzle #0tLC5 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2370 · Expert · advantage, long, middlegame, trapped piece.

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks a1/f1; bishop c5; knights b3/f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e8; rooks a8/d8; bishops c8/g7; knight f6; pawns a5/c7/e5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rfd1 — rook f1→d1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook a1→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Ba6 — bishop c8→a6. Opponent replies Qxa6 (queen c4→a6, captures bishop).
  4. Best move: Rxa6 — rook a8→a6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, trapped piece. The key move Rxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1brq1k1/2p2pbp/5np1/p1B1p3/2Q1P3/1NP2N1P/PP3PP1/R4RK1 w - - 2 17

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