Chess Puzzle #24TLI — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1315 · Intermediate · advantage, capturing the defender, discovered attack, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen a3; rooks a1/b1; bishop d3; pawns e5/f4/g2/h3. Black: king d8; queen c5; rooks c6/e8; knight d4; pawns f5/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook b1→c1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxa3 — queen c5→a3, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxa3 (rook a1→a3, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c6→c1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, capturing the defender, discovered attack, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3kr3/8/2r3pp/2q1Pp2/3n1P2/Q2B3P/6P1/RR5K w - - 2 35

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