Chess Puzzle #nZSy9 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2158 · Expert · advantage, middlegame, pin, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen a8; rooks d1/e1; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen c7; rooks e5/f6; knight d7; pawns a7/b6/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qb8 — queen c7→b8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe5 — rook e1→e5, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxa8 (queen b8→a8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Re8+ — rook e5→e8, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, sacrifice, short. The key move Rxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: Q1k5/p1qn4/1p3r1p/4r1p1/8/2P4P/PP4P1/1K1RR3 b - - 1 29

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