Chess Puzzle #1GL7G — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1297 · Intermediate · equality, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e1; bishops c1/g2; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king e8; rooks d8/h8; bishops e2/f8; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/f7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe2 — rook e1→e2, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Bf1 (bishop g2→f1).
  3. Best move: Rxc1 — rook d1→c1, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Rd1+.

Position data

FEN: 3rkb1r/ppp2p1p/5p2/4n3/8/6P1/PPP1bPBP/RNB1R1K1 w k - 2 12

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