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

Rating 2337 · Expert · advantage, fork, long, middlegame, pin, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks e1/f1; bishop c4; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks d8/f8; bishops b7/g7; pawns a6/b6/c5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b6→b5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f1→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Bxe6 — bishop c4→e6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bd5 (bishop b7→d5).
  4. Best move: Bxd7 — bishop e6→d7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame, pin, sacrifice. The key move Rxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/1b1q1pbp/pp2p1p1/2p3N1/2BP2Q1/2P1P2P/PP4P1/4RRK1 b - - 1 18

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