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

Rating 1835 · Advanced · deflection, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks e1/e7; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f8; rook a8; bishops g6/g7; knight d4; pawns a7/f3/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bf7 — bishop g6→f7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf7 — rook e7→f7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxf7 (queen f8→f7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen d5→a8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

deflection, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxa8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4qk1/p3R1b1/6bp/3Q4/3n4/5p2/PPP3PP/4R1K1 b - - 1 24

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