Chess Puzzle #gVIZj — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2151 · Expert · attraction, equality, middlegame, pin, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen d7; rooks a1/h1; bishop e2; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g6; queen a5; rooks d8/e8; bishop g5; pawns a7/b7/c5/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qh3 — queen d7→h3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe2+ — rook e8→e2, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe2 (king e1→e2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qa6+ — queen a5→a6, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, equality, middlegame, pin, sacrifice, short. The key move Rxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rr3/pp1Q2pp/5pk1/q1p3b1/8/2N5/PPP1BPPP/R3K2R w KQ - 3 19

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