Chess Puzzle #t9gkC — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2035 · Expert · equality, middlegame, short, trapped piece.

Position

White: king g1; queen a5; rooks a2/f1; bishops c1/d1; knight b1; pawns a4/b6/c4/d3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king d7; queen c6; rooks d8/h8; bishop e6; knights d4/f6; pawns b7/c5/d6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc3 — knight b1→c3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8 — rook d8→a8. Opponent replies Qxa8 (queen a5→a8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxa8 — rook h8→a8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short, trapped piece. The key move is Ra8.

Position data

FEN: 3r3r/1p1k3p/1Pqpbnp1/Q1p5/P1Pn4/3P3P/R4PP1/1NBB1RK1 w - - 3 23

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