Chess Puzzle #GCkzn — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2481 · Master · advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king b1; queen b7; rooks d1/e1; bishop g5; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/e5/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen e6; rooks c8/h8; bishops c5/d7; knight e4; pawns a7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf2 — knight e4→f2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd6 — rook d1→d6. Opponent replies Qf5+ (queen e6→f5, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ka1 — king b1→a1. Opponent replies O-O (king e8→g8).
  4. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d6→d7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Rd6.

Position data

FEN: 2r1k2r/pQ1b2pp/4q3/2b1P1B1/4n3/5N2/PP4PP/1K1RR3 b k - 2 20

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