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

Rating 1983 · Advanced · endgame, equality, short, trapped piece.

Position

White: king g1; queen b6; rook b1; knight d2; pawns a3/a6/c4/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rook c8; knight c6; pawns d6/e5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight d2→e4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rb8 — rook c8→b8. Opponent replies Qxb8+ (queen b6→b8, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Nxb8 — knight c6→b8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short, trapped piece. The key move is Rb8.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/3q1pp1/PQnp3p/4p3/2P5/P3P1P1/3N1P1P/1R4K1 w - - 1 31

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