Chess Puzzle #RxOqY — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1973 · Advanced · crushing, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g2; queen c6; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/c4; knight d5; pawns a2/e4/f4/h2. Black: king d8; queen h4; rooks b8/h8; bishop b2; knights d7/h5; pawns a7/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxb2 — bishop c1→b2, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxb2+ — rook b8→b2, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Be2 (bishop c4→e2).
  3. Best move: Rxe2+ — rook b2→e2, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kf3 (king g2→f3).
  4. Best move: Ne5+ — knight d7→e5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Rxb2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r1k3r/p2n1p2/2Q3pp/3N3n/2B1PP1q/8/Pb4KP/R1B2R2 w - - 0 23

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