Chess Puzzle #HA2pM — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1711 · Advanced · advantage, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king h1; queen b7; rooks f1/f7; pawns a2/c2/d5/g3/h2. Black: king e8; queen d7; rooks c8/h8; bishop e5; pawns a7/b6/c7/d6/e7/g5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c7→c5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook h8→f8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f1→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king e8→f8, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Qxd7 — queen b7→d7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r1k2r/pQpqpR2/1p1p4/3Pb1p1/8/6P1/P1P4P/5R1K b k - 9 29

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