Chess Puzzle #Aua1K — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2214 · Expert · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks d1/d3; bishop b2; knight e3; pawns a3/b4/c2/e4/g2/h2. Black: king c8; rooks e2/h8; knights e6/e7; pawns a7/b7/c6/e5/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook h8→d8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d3→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxd8 (knight e6→d8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Bc1 — bishop b2→c1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/pp2n1pp/2p1np2/4p3/1P2P3/P2RN3/1BP1r1PP/3R2K1 b - - 5 19

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