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

Rating 1018 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, fork, long.

Position

White: king g1; rooks d6/g4; bishop e6; pawns a2/b2/c2/f5/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f8; rook a5; bishop c6; pawns a4/e4/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra8 — rook a5→a8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rg8+ — rook g4→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg8 (queen f8→g8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Bxg8 — bishop e6→g8, captures queen. Opponent replies Kxg8 (king h8→g8, captures bishop).
  4. Best move: Rxc6 — rook d6→c6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Rg8+.

Position data

FEN: 5q1k/7p/2bRBp2/r4P2/p3p1R1/8/PPP3PP/6K1 b - - 1 28

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