Chess Puzzle #1IzVM — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1179 · Beginner · advantage, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/f1; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b3/c5/e3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d1; rooks a8/d8; bishops c8/g7; pawns a7/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rfxd1 — rook f1→d1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook a1→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Bxc3 — bishop g7→c3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1br2k1/p3ppbp/6p1/2P5/8/1PN1PN1P/P5P1/R2q1RK1 w - - 0 18

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