Chess Puzzle #Wl3aS — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2211 · Expert · crushing, endgame, long.

Position

White: king b1; rooks d1/d3; bishop b6; pawns a2/b3/c2/e4/f3/g4/h4. Black: king g8; queen a3; rook c8; bishop g7; pawns a5/b4/e5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d3→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
  4. Best move: Ra8 — rook d8→a8.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/6bp/1B4p1/p3p3/1p2P1PP/qP1R1P2/P1P5/1K1R4 b - - 1 29

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