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

Rating 1458 · Intermediate · advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame, queenside attack, skewer.

Position

White: king g1; rook f1; bishop f3; knight c3; pawns b2/b6/c2/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king a8; rook h8; bishops d7/e7; knight g6; pawns c7/e6/f4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c6 — pawn c7→c6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook f1→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kb7 (king a8→b7).
  3. Best move: Ra7+ — rook a1→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb6 (king b7→b6, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Rxd7 — rook a7→d7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame, queenside attack, skewer. The key move is Ra1+.

Position data

FEN: k6r/2pbb1pp/1P2p1n1/8/3P1p2/2N2B1P/1PP2PP1/5RK1 b - - 1 23

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