Chess Puzzle #2VXHm — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1217 · Intermediate · advantage, endgame, short.

Position

White: king g2; rooks c8/d1; knight b6; pawns a5/b2/d3/d5/e6/f5/h4. Black: king a7; rook d8; bishops b5/e3; knight g8; pawns a6/b7/e7/f6/g4/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxb6 — bishop e3→b6, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: axb6+ — pawn a5→b6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb6 (king a7→b6, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Rxd8 — rook c8→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move axb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2Rr2n1/kp2p2p/pN2Pp2/Pb1P1P2/6pP/3Pb3/1P4K1/3R4 b - - 6 31

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