Chess Puzzle #7lZLx — Intermediate, Black to move, opening

Rating 1525 · Intermediate · equality, master, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/g7; bishops c3/e2; knight e6; pawns a3/b4/c4/d5/e3/f2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d7; rooks a8/f8; bishop e4; knights e7/f6; pawns a7/b6/c7/d6/e5/f4/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxf8 — knight e6→f8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf8 — rook a8→f8, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxe7 (rook g7→e7, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qxe7 — queen d7→e7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, master, middlegame, short. The key move Rxf8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/p1pqn1Rp/1p1pNn2/3Pp3/1PP1bp2/P1B1P3/4BP1P/R2QK3 w Q - 1 18

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