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

Rating 1889 · Advanced · endgame, equality, intermezzo, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook d1; knight c2; pawns a2/b4/c3/d2/f2/h2. Black: king e6; rooks c8/d8; bishop e7; pawns a7/f4/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Re1+ — rook d1→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf5 (king e6→f5).
  3. Best move: dxc3 — pawn d2→c3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, intermezzo, short. The key move is Re1+.

Position data

FEN: 2rr4/p3b2p/4k3/8/1P3p2/2P5/P1NP1P1P/3R2K1 b - - 1 32

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