Chess Puzzle #d5bJX — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2244 · Expert · clearance, equality, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king b2; queen g3; rooks d1/e1; knights c4/e5; pawns a2/c2/d3/f2/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/f4; bishops d6/g6; pawns b7/f7/g7/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxe5+ — bishop d6→e5, captures knight, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe5 — rook e1→e5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxc4 (rook f4→c4, captures knight).
  3. Best move: dxc4 — pawn d3→c4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen c7→c4, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Qb3 — queen g3→b3.

Tactical themes

clearance, equality, long, middlegame. The key move Rxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1pq2pp1/3b2b1/4N1Pp/2N2r1P/3P2Q1/PKP2P2/3RR3 b - - 0 29

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