Chess Puzzle #hLeKi — Expert, White to move, opening

Rating 2029 · Expert · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen b3; rooks a1/h1; bishop c1; knights b1/e3; pawns a3/b2/c4/d2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen e7; rooks a8/h7; bishops c8/e5; knights b4/d6; pawns a7/b7/c5/d7/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxh2 — rook h7→h2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh2 — rook h1→h2, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxh2 (bishop e5→h2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: axb4 — pawn a3→b4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxh2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k3/pp1pqppr/3n4/2p1b3/1nP5/PQ2N3/1P1P1PPP/RNB1K2R b KQq - 0 14

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