Chess Puzzle #m8HDd — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2400 · Master · advantage, middlegame, pin, skewer, very long.

Position

White: king c1; rooks d5/h1; bishops b3/c3; knight g1; pawns a2/b2/c2/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen c6; rooks a8/h8; pawns a5/b7/f6/g5/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxa5 — bishop c3→a5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxa5 — rook a8→a5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxa5 (rook d5→a5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxg2 — queen c6→g2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bd5 (bishop b3→d5).
  4. Best move: Qf1+ — queen g2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
  5. Best move: Rd8 — rook h8→d8.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, skewer, very long. The key move Rxa5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r6r/1p4k1/2q2p2/p2R2pp/8/1BB1P2P/PPP2PP1/2K3NR w - - 2 23

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