Chess Puzzle #39Y7b — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1179 · Beginner · collinear, crushing, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king d3; rooks a1/e1; bishop c4; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/e5/g3/h2. Black: king c7; rooks e7/e8; bishop h6; knight b6; pawns a7/b7/c6/f6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: exf6 — pawn e5→f6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re3+ — rook e7→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe3 (rook e1→e3, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxe3+ — rook e8→e3, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

collinear, crushing, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/ppk1rppp/1np2p1b/4P3/2BP4/2NK1NP1/PPP4P/R3R3 w - - 1 20

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