Chess Puzzle #AkxtO — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1523 · Intermediate · crushing, discovered attack, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen d2; rooks c1/c3; bishop d4; pawns b6/c2/e3/e5/f3/g2/h3. Black: king b8; queen b4; rooks c8/g6; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f5/g7/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c3→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc8 (king b8→c8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxb4 — queen d2→b4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1kr5/1p4p1/pPn1p1r1/3pPp2/1q1B3p/2R1PP1P/2PQ2PK/2R5 b - - 12 30

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