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

Rating 1355 · Intermediate · advantage, endgame, short.

Position

White: king e3; queen d6; rook e6; knight d7; pawns b3/c3/d4/f3/g4. Black: king g8; queen h2; rook a8; bishop g7; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bh6+ — bishop g7→h6, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh6 — rook e6→h6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxd6 (queen h2→d6, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxd6 — rook h6→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move Rxh6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/pp1N2bp/2pQR3/3p4/3P2P1/1PP1KP2/7q/8 b - - 12 43

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