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

Rating 2096 · Expert · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks e1/h1; bishop f1; knight d5; pawns a2/b3/c2/e3/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks b8/f8; bishops c8/h6; pawns a7/e5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxd2+ — queen a5→d2, captures queen, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kxd2 — king c1→d2, captures queen. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook f8→d8).
  3. Best move: c4 — pawn c2→c4.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Kxd2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1rb2rk1/p4p1p/6pb/q2Np3/7P/1P2P3/P1PQ2P1/2K1RB1R b - - 0 18

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