Chess Puzzle #27PH0 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1322 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, short.

Position

White: king b2; queen g7; rook d1; bishop d6; pawns a3/b4/c5/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen f5; rook e8; knight d5; pawns a6/b7/c6/e6/f4/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h6→h5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d1→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qf6+ (queen f5→f6, gives check).
  3. Best move: Qxf6 — queen g7→f6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r3/1p4Q1/p1pBp2p/2Pn1qp1/1P3p2/P6P/1K4P1/3R4 b - - 3 37

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