Chess Puzzle #MtXpS — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2582 · Master · advantage, middlegame, sacrifice, very long.

Position

White: king a1; queen c2; rooks d7/h1; knight f3; pawns a3/b2/c3/e4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks b8/c4; bishop g7; pawns a7/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rhd1 — rook h1→d1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bxc3 — bishop g7→c3, captures pawn. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b2→c3, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qa5 — queen b6→a5. Opponent replies Rd8+ (rook d7→d8, gives check).
  4. Best move: Rxd8 — rook b8→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxd8+ (rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check).
  5. Best move: Qxd8 — queen a5→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Bxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p2R1pb1/1q4pp/8/2r1P3/P1P2N2/1PQ3PP/K6R w - - 0 32

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