Chess Puzzle #2COdY — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1016 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, pin, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen g3; rook c3; pawns a5/b4/c5/g2/h3. Black: king b8; queen c7; rook e8; pawns a6/b7/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re3 — rook c3→e3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe3 — rook e8→e3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc7+ (queen g3→c7, captures queen, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxc7 — king b8→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move Rxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k2r3/1pq3pp/p4p2/P1P5/1P6/2R3QP/6PK/8 w - - 3 31

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