Chess Puzzle #5vM3T — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1458 · Intermediate · advantage, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen e2; rooks a1/g1; bishop d3; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/h4. Black: king d8; queen d5; rooks b8/h8; bishops c8/g7; pawns a7/b7/c6/d7/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxg7 — rook g1→g7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re8 — rook h8→e8. Opponent replies Qxe8+ (queen e2→e8, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxe8 — king d8→e8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Re8.

Position data

FEN: 1rbk3r/pp1p2b1/2p5/3q3p/7P/3B1N2/PPP1QP2/R3K1R1 w Q - 0 18

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