Chess Puzzle #2HOO7 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 757 · Beginner · crushing, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rooks g1/g7; bishop b3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d3/e3/h3/h5. Black: king h8; queen c5; rooks f6/f8; bishop h4; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/e5/f5/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg8+ — rook g7→g8, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxg8 — rook f8→g8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxg8+ (rook g1→g8, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxg8 — king h8→g8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Rxg8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/pp4R1/2p2r1p/2qppp1P/7b/1BPPPQ1P/PP6/6RK w - - 1 26

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