Chess Puzzle #zs2G9 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2203 · Expert · crushing, endgame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks c2/d1; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a8/d5; pawns a7/b5/c7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook a8→d8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d1→d5, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen d6→d5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rd2 — rook c2→d2.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move Rxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/p1p3pp/3q4/1p1r4/8/1Q6/P1R2PPP/3R2K1 b - - 3 22

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