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

Rating 1501 · Intermediate · advantage, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rooks a1/e1; bishop b2; pawns a3/b3/f2/f6/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen e7; rooks a8/g8; bishops a7/d5; pawns a6/b5/c6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxg8+ — queen g3→g8, captures rook, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxg8 — rook a8→g8, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxe7 (rook e1→e7, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxg2+ — rook g8→g2, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxg2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5r1/b3qp1k/p1p2P1p/1p1b4/8/PP4QP/1B3PP1/R3R1K1 w - - 1 23

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