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

Rating 1475 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, short.

Position

White: king f2; queen b3; rooks e1/e8; pawns a3/b2/c2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks c5/c8; pawns a7/b6/d6/f4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king g8→h7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxd5 — queen b3→d5, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxd5 (rook c5→d5, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxc8 — rook e8→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Qxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r1R1k1/p5p1/1p1p3p/2rq4/5p2/PQ5P/1PP2KP1/4R3 b - - 1 31

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