Chess Puzzle #1tASC — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1248 · Intermediate · crushing, deflection, endgame, interference, short.

Position

White: king e2; rooks a1/h1; bishop b2; pawns a2/b3/c2/f3/h4. Black: king g8; rooks d8/f8; bishop b6; pawns a7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rad1 — rook a1→d1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rfe8+ — rook f8→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e2→f1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, interference, short. The key move Rxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/p1p2ppp/1b6/8/7P/1P3P2/PBP1K3/R6R w - - 3 18

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