Chess Puzzle #1FIwm — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1379 · Intermediate · advantage, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks c1/d1; bishop f3; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a8/d4; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/c7/d5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc6 — rook c1→c6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd2 — rook d4→d2, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxd6 (rook c6→d6, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d2→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd1 (bishop f3→d1, captures rook).
  4. Best move: cxd6 — pawn c7→d6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1pp3p1/p1nq3p/3p4/3r4/P4B1P/1P1Q1PP1/2RR2K1 w - - 0 19

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