Chess Puzzle #32QEW — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1284 · Intermediate · advantage, endgame, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen e4; rook d7; pawns e3/e5/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen c1; rook c8; pawns a6/b6/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc6 — queen c1→c6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen c6→e8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook d8→e8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/3R1pp1/pp2p2p/4P3/4Q2P/4P1P1/5P1K/2q5 b - - 2 33

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