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

Rating 576 · Beginner · crushing, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/b1; bishop a5; knight a2; pawns a4/d3/e5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks b2/b8; bishop e7; knight g6; pawns d4/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bc7 — bishop a5→c7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxb1+ — rook b2→b1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb1 (rook a1→b1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxb1+ — rook b8→b1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Rxb1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/4bppp/4p1n1/B2pP3/P2p1P2/3P2P1/Nr5P/RR4K1 w - - 3 21

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