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

Rating 2457 · Master · crushing, discovered attack, endgame, long.

Position

White: king d3; queen c2; rook c5; knight b6; pawns d4/e5/f4/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen a7; rook b8; pawns a5/b4/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb6 — rook b8→b6, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
  3. Best move: Ke3+ — king d3→e3, gives check. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
  4. Best move: Qc5 — queen c2→c5.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, endgame, long. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/q4pp1/1N2p2p/p1RpP3/1p1P1PP1/3K4/2Q4P/8 b - - 0 50

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