Chess Puzzle #JWcS8 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1948 · Advanced · advantage, long, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks b1/e1; bishop b6; pawns a2/c3/c6/d3/e4/f2/g3. Black: king b8; queen f3; rooks c8/h8; pawns a5/b7/d6/e5/f7/g7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c7+ — pawn c6→c7, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c8→c7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxc7+ (bishop b6→c7, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kc8 — king b8→c8. Opponent replies Qe8+ (queen a4→e8, gives check).
  4. Best move: Rxe8 — rook h8→e8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1kr4r/1p3pp1/1BPp4/p3p3/Q3P3/2PP1qP1/P4P2/1R2R1K1 w - - 0 25

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