Chess Puzzle #26ptW — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 438 · Beginner · crushing, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks a1/c1; bishop c5; pawns a5/b4/e3/e5/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b7; rooks c4/c7; knight a6; pawns b5/d5/e6/f5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bd6 — bishop c5→d6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c4→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook a1→c1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c7→c1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1qr4p/n3p1p1/PpBpPp2/1Pr2P2/1Q2P3/6PP/R1R3K1 w - - 5 35

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