Chess Puzzle #8R8Mc — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1507 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long.

Position

White: king h2; queen a6; rook f1; knight a3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d3/g2/h3. Black: king d6; queen e6; rooks b8/g8; pawns b5/c5/d4/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd5 — king d6→d5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: c4+ — pawn c3→c4, gives check. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b5→c4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: dxc4+ — pawn d3→c4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke5 (king d5→e5).
  4. Best move: Re1+ — rook f1→e1, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move dxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4r1/7p/Q2kqp2/1pp5/3p4/N1PP3P/PP4PK/5R2 b - - 3 32

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