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

Rating 1883 · Advanced · equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen e1; rooks d1/h1; bishops e2/e3; knight c2; pawns b2/c3/e4/f2/g4/h4. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks b8/d8; bishops b3/g7; knight e7; pawns a5/c5/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc2 — bishop b3→c2, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook b8→d8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kxc2 — king c1→c2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r1r2k1/4npb1/1q4pp/p1p5/4P1PP/1bP1B3/1PN1BP2/2KRQ2R b - - 2 21

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