Chess Puzzle #Is22Q — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1555 · Intermediate · advantage, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h2; rooks d4/e1; bishops c3/f3; knight g3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen c1; rook a8; bishop g6; knights c5/f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne6 — knight c5→e6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc1 — rook e1→c1, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxd4 (knight e6→d4, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Bxd4 — bishop c3→d4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/pp3pp1/2p2nbp/2n5/3R4/2B2BNP/PPP2PPK/2q1R3 b - - 5 20

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