Chess Puzzle #S2WMl — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2163 · Expert · equality, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen b3; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/d3; knight g1; pawns a2/b7/c3/f2/f5/g2/h4. Black: king b8; queen h6; rooks d8/h8; bishop f8; knight b6; pawns a7/c7/d6/e4/f4/g4/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxe4 — bishop d3→e4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re8 — rook d8→e8. Opponent replies Ne2 (knight g1→e2).
  3. Best move: Rxe4 — rook e8→e4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Re8.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r1b1r/pPp4p/1n1p3q/5P2/4pppP/1QPB4/P4PP1/R1B1K1NR w KQ - 0 20

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