Chess Puzzle #2dOLy — Expert, White to move, opening

Rating 2022 · Expert · crushing, intermezzo, kingside attack, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishops c2/h6; knight f3; pawns a2/b3/c4/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops b7/f6; knight b8; pawns a6/b5/c5/d6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxa1 — bishop f6→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe8 (queen d8→e8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxa1 — queen d1→a1, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen e8→f8).
  4. Best move: Bxf8 — bishop h6→f8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, intermezzo, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn1qr1k1/1b3p1p/p2p1bpB/1ppP4/2P5/1P3N2/P1B2PPP/R2QR1K1 b - - 2 16

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