Chess Puzzle #1WSk2 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1174 · Beginner · endgame, equality, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen d2; rook e1; pawns b3/d3/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen b5; rook e8; bishop e4; pawns a6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd3 — bishop e4→d3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe8 (queen b5→e8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxd3 — queen d2→d3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/6p1/p6p/1q6/4b3/1P1P2PP/3Q3K/4R3 b - - 0 37

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