Chess Puzzle #C2VtR — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1542 · Intermediate · equality, middlegame, short, X-ray attack.

Position

White: king h1; queen g4; rook d1; bishop b1; knight f3; pawns a3/c3/d5/f5/g2. Black: king h7; queen c1; rook e8; bishop g7; pawns a4/b5/d2/d6/g5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxd2 — knight f3→d2, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e8→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook d1→e1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen c1→e1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short, X-ray attack. The key move Qxe1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/6bk/3p3p/1p1P1Pp1/p5Q1/P1P2N2/3p2P1/1BqR3K w - - 2 34

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