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

Rating 1234 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long.

Position

White: king g1; queen f6; rooks d1/d3; pawns a3/b4/e4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks c8/d8; pawns a6/b7/d6/e5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook c8→c2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd6 — rook d3→d6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxd6 (queen b6→d6, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd6 — rook d1→d6, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxd6 (rook d8→d6, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Qxd6 — queen f6→d6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Rxd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2rr2k1/1p3p1p/pq1p1Qp1/4p3/1P2P3/P2R2P1/5P1P/3R2K1 b - - 2 25

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