Chess Puzzle #96Z9x — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2225 · Expert · crushing, endgame, long.

Position

White: king f1; queen d5; rooks a1/d1; pawns a2/b3/c4/f5/g2/h3. Black: king b8; queen f6; rook e8; bishop e3; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g5/h4. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re1 — rook d1→e1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re5 — rook e8→e5. Opponent replies Rxe3 (rook e1→e3, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Rxd5 — rook e5→d5, captures queen. Opponent replies Re8+ (rook e3→e8, gives check).
  4. Best move: Rd8 — rook d5→d8.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Re5.

Position data

FEN: 1k2r3/ppp2p2/5q2/3Q1Pp1/2P4p/1P2b2P/P5P1/R2R1K2 w - - 2 29

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