Chess Puzzle #JjZru — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1483 · Intermediate · crushing, long, middlegame, pin, sacrifice.

Position

White: king e1; queen f3; rooks a1/h1; bishop e2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d5/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g7; queen b5; rooks a8/e8; bishop h6; pawns a6/b7/d6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rb1 — rook a1→b1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe2+ — rook e8→e2, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe2 (queen f3→e2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Re8 — rook a8→e8. Opponent replies Qxe8 (queen e2→e8, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen b5→e8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, pin, sacrifice. The key move Rxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r3/1p3pkp/p2p2pb/1q1P4/6P1/2P2Q1P/PP2BP2/R3K2R w KQ - 1 18

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