Chess Puzzle #8cGgt — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2031 · Expert · equality, middlegame, pin, quiet move, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen h5; rooks e3/h1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d6; rooks a8/f8; knight g6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rae8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh3 — rook e3→h3. Opponent replies Re7 (rook e8→e7).
  3. Best move: Qxg6 — queen h5→g6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, pin, quiet move, short. The key move is Rh3.

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/ppp4p/3q1pn1/3P3Q/8/4R3/PPP2PPP/2K4R b - - 1 23

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