Chess Puzzle #9a9CC — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1485 · Intermediate · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks e1/e3; bishop d3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks a8/e8; bishops d6/h5; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe8+ — rook e3→e8, captures rook, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe8 — rook a8→e8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxe8+ (rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Qxe8 — queen d7→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/pp1q1pp1/2pb3p/3p3b/3P4/2NBR2P/PPPQ1PP1/4R1K1 w - - 0 18

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