Chess Puzzle #4mVtm — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1100 · Beginner · advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g2; rooks c1/c2; bishop d3; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/e3/e5. Black: king g8; rooks c7/c8; bishop f7; pawns a6/b5/d5/e6/f5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxd5 — knight c3→d5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc2+ — rook c7→c2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc2 (rook c1→c2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxc2+ — rook c8→c2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc2 (bishop d3→c2, captures rook).
  4. Best move: exd5 — pawn e6→d5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/2r2bpp/p3p3/1p1pPp2/8/P1NBP3/1PR3K1/2R5 w - - 9 32

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