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

Rating 1643 · Advanced · advantage, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king b1; rooks d1/h1; knights a5/c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/g5/h4. Black: king g8; rooks a8/d8; bishops e6/e7; pawns a6/c4/e5/f7/g7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bb4 — bishop e7→b4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Nc6 — knight a5→c6.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/4bpp1/p3b3/N3p1Pp/2p1P2P/2N5/PPP5/1K1R3R b - - 1 21

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