Chess Puzzle #1RSql — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1748 · Advanced · advantage, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks c1/c6; bishop e4; pawns a3/b2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks c8/f8; knight e7; pawns a7/b6/c7/e6/f7/g7/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc7 — rook c6→c7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c8→c7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen c2→c7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rc8 — rook f8→c8. Opponent replies Qxc8+ (queen c7→c8, captures rook, gives check).
  4. Best move: Nxc8 — knight e7→c8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/p1pqnpp1/1pR1p3/7p/3PB3/P3P3/1PQ2PPP/2R3K1 w - - 2 21

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