Chess Puzzle #WF5Sx — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2427 · Master · advantage, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks c7/e1; bishop b2; pawns a2/b3/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b4; rook a8; bishop g4; knights d7/f6; pawns a6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook a8→d8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxf6 — bishop b2→f6, captures knight. Opponent replies gxf6 (pawn g7→f6, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Rc4 — rook c7→c4. Opponent replies Qxe1+ (queen b4→e1, captures rook, gives check).
  4. Best move: Qxe1 — queen d1→e1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Bxf6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/2Rn1ppp/p3pn2/8/1q4b1/1P4P1/PB2PP1P/3QR1K1 b - - 1 21

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