Chess Puzzle #TC9C1 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1985 · Advanced · advantage, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rooks d1/d2; knight e4; pawns b2/b3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks c8/e8; knight d5; pawns a6/b7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Red8 — rook e8→d8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d2→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxd5 (rook d8→d5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d1→d5, captures rook. Opponent replies Rc1+ (rook c8→c1, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/1p2qp1p/p3p1p1/3nQ3/4N3/1P5P/1P1R1PP1/3R2K1 b - - 7 32

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