Chess Puzzle #R9xhV — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2279 · Expert · equality, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/d5; bishops a6/e3; pawns c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks a8/d8; bishop d6; pawns e5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rda5 — rook d5→a5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bc7 — bishop d6→c7. Opponent replies Rc5 (rook a5→c5).
  3. Best move: Rxa6 — rook a8→a6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qe1 (queen d2→e1).
  4. Best move: Rxa1 — rook a6→a1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame, pin. The key move is Bc7.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/5ppp/B1qb4/3Rp3/8/2P1B3/3Q1PPP/R5K1 w - - 3 25

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