Chess Puzzle #1QDD3 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 989 · Beginner · crushing, deflection, endgame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook d1; bishops b3/e3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; rook h8; bishop b7; knight e7; pawns a7/b6/c7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook h8→d8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Be6+ — bishop b3→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
  3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, queenside attack, short. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/pbp1n2p/1p4p1/8/8/1B2B3/PPP3PP/3R2K1 b - - 0 18

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