Chess Puzzle #16dGj — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1297 · Intermediate · advantage, endgame, short.

Position

White: king c1; rooks d2/g1; bishop e3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/f3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks c8/f8; bishop c5; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rfd8 — rook f8→d8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d2→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Bxc5 — bishop e3→c5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/pp3ppp/4p3/2b5/8/4BP2/PPPR1P1P/2K3R1 b - - 6 16

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