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

Rating 1927 · Advanced · equality, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks c1/f1; bishops d4/e2; pawns a2/e4/f2/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen h5; rooks c8/d8; bishop g7; pawns a7/b7/e7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd4 — bishop g7→d4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc8 — rook c1→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxe3 (bishop d4→e3, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
  4. Best move: fxe3 — pawn f2→e3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2rr2k1/pp2ppbp/6p1/7q/3BP3/4QP2/P3BP1P/2R2RK1 b - - 0 18

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