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

Rating 1551 · Intermediate · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook e3; bishop c2; pawns a2/b2/c3/e5/g2/g3. Black: king f7; queen g6; rooks d5/e8; bishop c8; pawns a5/b5/c6/f5/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rdxe5 — rook d5→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe5 — rook e3→e5, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxe5 (rook e8→e5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxe5 — queen f4→e5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2b1r3/5k1p/2p3q1/pp1rPp2/5Q2/2P1R1P1/PPB3P1/6K1 b - - 0 34

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