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

Rating 1979 · Advanced · defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; rook d1; bishop g2; pawns a4/b5/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rook f8; bishop a1; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxa1 — rook d1→a1, captures bishop. Opponent replies Re8 (rook f8→e8).
  3. Best move: Qa3 — queen e7→a3.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Rxa1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/ppp1Qppp/5n2/1P6/P1q5/6P1/4PPBP/b2R2K1 b - - 0 21

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