Chess Puzzle #Dv6rB — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2038 · Expert · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king f1; queen f3; rooks a1/h1; bishop c2; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishop c8; knight b8; pawns a7/b5/c5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook e8→f8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxa8 — queen f3→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen d8→d4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: f3 — pawn f2→f3.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxa8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rnbqr1k1/p6p/6p1/1pp5/3P4/5Q2/PPB2PPP/R4K1R b - - 1 18

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