Chess Puzzle #3cHxl — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1357 · Intermediate · advantage, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king a2; queen b7; rooks f1/h1; knights d5/g5; pawns a4/b5/c4/g2/h4. Black: king h8; queen d8; rooks a8/f2; bishops c2/d4; pawns a5/d6/e3/e5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bd3+ — bishop c2→d3, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf2 — rook f1→f2, captures rook. Opponent replies exf2 (pawn e3→f2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Nf7+ — knight g5→f7, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxf2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q3k/1Q4pp/3p4/pP1Np1N1/P1Pb3P/4p3/K1b2rP1/5R1R b - - 9 27

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