Chess Puzzle #1BnlZ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 858 · Beginner · advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, fork, promotion, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen d1; pawns a7/b3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks d5/e1; pawns c5/c7/d2/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook e1→d1, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: a8=Q+ — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
  3. Best move: Qxd5 — queen a8→d5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, fork, promotion, short. The key move is a8=Q+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/P1p5/8/2pr3p/8/1P5P/3p2PK/3Qr3 b - - 0 43

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