Chess Puzzle #LVqZ0 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1964 · Advanced · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/d1; knight f3; pawns a4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/c2; knights b4/f6; pawns b5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: bxa4 — pawn b5→a4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxa4 — rook a1→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Re8 (rook a8→e8).
  3. Best move: Rxb4 — rook a4→b4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxa4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5ppp/5n2/1p6/Pn6/4PN2/2r2PPP/R2R2K1 b - - 0 20

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