Chess Puzzle #y3iY5 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2435 · Master · attraction, clearance, crushing, exposed king, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king b1; queen c3; rooks e1/h1; bishop d3; pawns a2/b3/c2/d4/g2. Black: king g7; queen g5; rooks a8/f2; bishop b7; knight c6; pawns a3/b6/c7/d5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rh8 — rook a8→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh8 — rook h1→h8, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king g7→h8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rh1+ — rook e1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
  4. Best move: Qe1 — queen c3→e1.

Tactical themes

attraction, clearance, crushing, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Rxh8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r7/1bp3k1/1pn5/3p2q1/3P4/pPQB4/P1P2rP1/1K2R2R b - - 1 27

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