Chess Puzzle #8bLZW — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen d7; rooks e2/g1; bishop a2; pawns b2/h5. Black: king h8; queen b4; rooks a3/f8; bishop g7; pawns f5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb2+ — bishop g7→b2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb2 — rook e2→b2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxa2+ (rook a3→a2, captures bishop, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxa2 — rook b2→a2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qc3+ (queen b4→c3, gives check).
4. Best move: Rb2 — rook a2→b2. Opponent replies Rb8 (rook f8→b8).
5. Best move: Qd2 — queen d7→d2. Opponent replies Qxd2 (queen c3→d2, captures queen).
6. Best move: Rxd2 — rook b2→d2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, very long. The key move Rxb2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/3Q2b1/7p/5p1P/1q6/r7/BP2R3/K5R1 b - - 3 41

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.