Chess Puzzle #Ea6rU — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2239 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, kingside attack, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king h2; queen g3; rooks a7/c7; knight d4; pawns b2/b3/e3/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks e8/f8; knight d3; pawns a5/b4/e6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf2+ — rook f8→f2, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kg1 — king h2→g1. Opponent replies Rxb2 (rook f2→b2, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Rg7+ — rook c7→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  4. Best move: Rxh7+ — rook g7→h7, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Rxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4rrk1/R1R4p/4p1p1/p2q2P1/1p1N3P/1P1nP1Q1/1P5K/8 b - - 5 39

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