Chess Puzzle #e3xeP — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1868 · Advanced · endgame, equality, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen h4; rook c1; bishop e1; pawns f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f5; rooks a6/a8; pawns b7/c6/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra1 — rook a6→a1. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxa1 — rook c1→a1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxa1 (rook a8→a1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qd8+ — queen h4→d8, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move Rxa1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1p3p1p/r1p1p1p1/5q2/5P1Q/7P/6PK/2R1B3 b - - 3 38

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