Chess Puzzle #26FM5 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 841 · Beginner · crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; rooks a1/e1; bishop g5; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks d8/f8; bishop g7; pawns a7/b6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rfe8 — rook f8→e8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e7→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/p3Qpbp/1p4p1/3q2B1/8/7P/PP3PP1/R3R1K1 b - - 0 19

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