Chess Puzzle #fto4E — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2292 · Expert · advantage, master, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king d2; queen e1; rooks a1/b1; bishop c2; pawns a4/c3/d4/e5/f4/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks b2/b8; bishop c6; pawns a7/c4/d5/e6/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxa4 — bishop c6→a4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxb2 — rook b1→b2, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxb2 (rook b8→b2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qc1 — queen e1→c1.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Rxb2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p4p2/2b1p1p1/q2pP1Pp/P1pP1P1P/2P5/1rBK4/RR2Q3 b - - 5 27

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