Chess Puzzle #1OE0L — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1168 · Beginner · crushing, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen d3; rooks a1/h1; knight e3; pawns a5/b5/c3/d4/f2/g2. Black: king c8; queen f4; rooks e7/e8; bishop g4; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf1 — king e1→f1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe3 — rook e7→e3, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxe3 (queen d3→e3, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxe3 — rook e8→e3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Rxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r3/ppp1r2p/5p2/PP6/3P1qb1/2PQN3/5PP1/R3K2R w KQ - 3 25

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