Chess Puzzle #IYITC — Expert, White to move, endgame

Rating 2320 · Expert · advantage, endgame, intermezzo, pin, sacrifice, skewer.

Position

White: king b1; queen b4; rook c1; pawns a2/b2/f3. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook d8; bishop e8; pawns f7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bc6 — bishop e8→c6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rg1+ — rook c1→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Qc3+ — queen b4→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Qd4 (queen d5→d4).
  4. Best move: Rd1 — rook g1→d1. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen d4→c3, captures queen).
  5. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
  6. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, intermezzo, pin, sacrifice, skewer, very long. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rb1k1/5p1p/8/3q4/1Q6/5P2/PP6/1KR5 b - - 1 31

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