Chess Puzzle #Hz0mp — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1497 · Intermediate · advantage, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/e1; bishop b6; knight e2; pawns b2/c3/e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/d8; knight f6; pawns b5/c6/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxb6 — queen c7→b6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxa8 — rook a1→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxa8 (rook d8→a8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: exf6 — pawn e5→f6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Rxa8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/2q2pp1/1Bp1pn1p/1p2P3/8/2PQ3P/1P2NPP1/R3R1K1 b - - 0 21

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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