Chess Puzzle #8IXmO — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1429 · Intermediate · advantage, endgame, fork, long.

Position

White: king g1; rook b1; bishops b7/e5; pawns b5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks a2/d2; pawns a7/g5/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra1 — rook b1→a1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxa1+ — rook a2→a1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxa1 (bishop e5→a1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d2→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
  4. Best move: Rxa1 — rook d1→a1, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move Rxa1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pB6/8/1P2B1pp/8/7P/r2r2P1/1R4K1 w - - 0 30

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