Chess Puzzle #SMZyI — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2191 · Expert · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king d1; queen h7; rook g8; bishop b2; pawns a2/b3/c2/c4/h3. Black: king b7; rooks a8/e2; bishop d7; knights c6/f4; pawns a7/b4/c7/d6/e5/f5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: e4 — pawn e5→e4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxa8 — rook g8→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies e3 (pawn e4→e3).
  3. Best move: Qxd7 — queen h7→d7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxa8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5R1/pkpb3Q/2np4/4pp2/1pP2n2/1P5P/PBP1r3/3K4 b - - 15 38

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