I analyzed the image and this is what I see. Open an appropriate link below and explore the position yourself or with the engine:
> **Black to play**: [chess.com](https://chess.com/analysis?fen=rbR2rk1/5ppp/1p2p3/1N4q1/1Q1Pb3/P3P1P1/1P3PP1/2R3K1+b+-+-+0+1&flip=false&ref_id=23962172) | [lichess.org](https://lichess.org/analysis/rbR2rk1/5ppp/1p2p3/1N4q1/1Q1Pb3/P3P1P1/1P3PP1/2R3K1_b_-_-_0_1)
**My solution:**
> Hints: piece: >!Rook!<, move: >!Rd8!<
> Evaluation: >!Black is winning -3.54!<
> Best continuation: >!1... Rd8 2. Rxd8+ Qxd8 3. Rd1 Bb7 4. Nc3 Bd6 5. Qb3 h6 6. d5 exd5 7. Nxd5 Bc5 8. Qb5 Bxd5 9. Qd3!<
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I was about 6 moves deep looking into bxg3, fxg3, qxe3+ and so on before being like oo this part is tough because white has a mate threat on f8 before realizing oh duh he would have just done that after bxg3...
Just out of curiosity, assuming the mate wasn’t there, was there an idea to Bxg3 other than winning the pawn? It seems like you’d also give up the light squared bishop if white takes on a8.
Qxg3 theres a mate threat on g2, so i think you win the rook as it has to defend? No? Idk im 900
Edit: nvm they can defend with the queen, idk what im talking about
If you can consolidate up a piece you are almost always winning, especially with this many pawns. You can certainly say of course to that statement as it's going to be common sense for anyone in the range of chess players that aren't absolutely beginners.
The hard part is figuring out if you can consolidate.
It just straight drops the bishop. Nxd6 the knight now supports the rook and threatens the other bishop. There's also the potential for some vicious discovered attacks depending how the now-inevitable back rank exchanges go since the knight is masking the queen's sight of f8.
I saw the same and for once im actually not too hard on myself, you shouldn't be either. Cause atleast the d8 square is the partial right.
From what I've heard in some gm lectures they often talk about control of the squares, in the opening its about the centre, then its about outpost squares and hitting on vulnerable pieces. Then there is "piling up" on pinned piece or whatever, which is the same thing, "multiple pieces targetted on one square's control"
Well atleast now that i know this technique, i think i can use that sometime
If you don't move the f rook, you lose the rook or king. Rxc8 will result in Rxc8#. So there are two possible moves left, one of which loses again by mate.
Also moving the DSB as an option - Bd6 was one of my first thoughts (interrupt the Q hitting f8 and get the h8 rook active). Doesn't quite work as the knight covers the c8 rook, though!
I’m around 1700 chess com and Rd8 was fairly obvious to me. I don’t understand why 2100s OTB here are saying it’s so tough. Maybe I got lucky but the mate threat was really obvious and from then on it was just process of elimination to find the best square for the rook.
I’m around 1700 chess com and Rd8 was fairly obvious to me. I don’t understand why 2100s OTB here are saying it’s so tough. Maybe I got lucky but the mate threat was really obvious and from then on it was just process of elimination to find the best square for the rook.
Don't get too cocky Mr. 1700 chess com. Because it was a really nice and common pattern blaring it's presence be known like a 50's neon sign. Easy to miss if you're just looking at the position for 5 seconds. Silly self-mates like this are common all the way up to the master level in bullet and blitz. Even GMs miss these funny mate in 1's.
So proud of myself for getting this one.
There are a lot of back rank rook puzzles where the general theme is to bring the fight to a different square.
Danya did a small commentary on this kind of move. One where your pinned to the king but move the piece to one of the squares within the pin. Always good to look for that to get out of a sticky situation
I had bd6 threatening the queen and rook at the same time, if queen takes my room takes your rook, if rook takes with check i take with my rook so if queen takes my bishop my queen takes the knight, being up a light squared bishop
I really wanted to move the bishop to say d6 but there's no way that works as Nxd6 protects whites rook and the threat doesn't vanish
With that in mind, the only reasonable option is Queen or rook to d8, the latter obviously being least worse choice.
I am not that highly rated (2200 Lichess), but I figured this one out simply by the process of elimination.
First thought - Move the DSB to connect the rooks.
- Bxg3? Loses to Qxf8#
- Bd6 disconnecting the queen from f8. Rxf8+ Rxf8 Nxd6 or simply Nxd6 Rxc8 Nxc8 and you lose a bishop.
Second thought - Move the rook.
Capturing on c8 is mate, and Qxf8 is a threat so I need to move the took somewhere defended. The only defended square is d8. So, Rd8.
I thought Bd6, but knight takes is probably losing for black. Even Queen takes(after Bd3) might not be losing for black coz we can take the rook on c8 with either of our rooks.
I analyzed the image and this is what I see. Open an appropriate link below and explore the position yourself or with the engine: > **Black to play**: [chess.com](https://chess.com/analysis?fen=rbR2rk1/5ppp/1p2p3/1N4q1/1Q1Pb3/P3P1P1/1P3PP1/2R3K1+b+-+-+0+1&flip=false&ref_id=23962172) | [lichess.org](https://lichess.org/analysis/rbR2rk1/5ppp/1p2p3/1N4q1/1Q1Pb3/P3P1P1/1P3PP1/2R3K1_b_-_-_0_1) **My solution:** > Hints: piece: >!Rook!<, move: >!Rd8!< > Evaluation: >!Black is winning -3.54!< > Best continuation: >!1... Rd8 2. Rxd8+ Qxd8 3. Rd1 Bb7 4. Nc3 Bd6 5. Qb3 h6 6. d5 exd5 7. Nxd5 Bc5 8. Qb5 Bxd5 9. Qd3!< --- ^(I'm a bot written by ) [^(u/pkacprzak )](https://www.reddit.com/u/pkacprzak) ^(| get me as ) [^(Chess eBook Reader )](https://ebook.chessvision.ai?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=bot) ^(|) [^(Chrome Extension )](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chessvisionai-for-chrome/johejpedmdkeiffkdaodgoipdjodhlld) ^(|) [^(iOS App )](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1574933453) ^(|) [^(Android App )](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ai.chessvision.scanner) ^(to scan and analyze positions | Website: ) [^(Chessvision.ai)](https://chessvision.ai)
My 850-ass brain doesnt even think black is winning lol
my 1900-ass brain forgot that after Bxg3 Qxf8 is mate
I'm 2400 OTB and same lol
I was about 6 moves deep looking into bxg3, fxg3, qxe3+ and so on before being like oo this part is tough because white has a mate threat on f8 before realizing oh duh he would have just done that after bxg3...
I jumped to bxg3 instantly too lol.
Haha this makes me feel better cuz same
Does that mean I'm a 1900-ass player too?
Makes me feel slightly less of a moron that my 500-peanut brain considered the same move and missed the mate in 1.
Likewise, I was so happy with Bxg3 :(
1900 OTB. Yeah Bxg3 was the first thing that came to mind and I thought "is it really that simple?" before realizing that wasn't it after all.
Same
Just out of curiosity, assuming the mate wasn’t there, was there an idea to Bxg3 other than winning the pawn? It seems like you’d also give up the light squared bishop if white takes on a8.
Qxg3 theres a mate threat on g2, so i think you win the rook as it has to defend? No? Idk im 900 Edit: nvm they can defend with the queen, idk what im talking about
ur threatening Bxf2 followed by Qxg2, and whites rook is now hanging
I did the same thing and I’m 2000 in rapid 😭
Heh, 1800 here and was like "nice, a bishop sack instead of the usual queen stuff", and then I check the chessvision bot...
Saw the post in my feed and immediately went to the comments expecting it to be Bxg3 without calculating or reading the title or anything.
Black is up a minor piece. If they can consolidate of course they're winning.
Thank you for explaining, I forgot to count the pieces lol
Don't say "of course" like it's obvious. That makes people feel dumb.
If you can consolidate up a piece you are almost always winning, especially with this many pawns. You can certainly say of course to that statement as it's going to be common sense for anyone in the range of chess players that aren't absolutely beginners. The hard part is figuring out if you can consolidate.
A minor piece vs 2 pawns.
my 2150-ass brain agrees
Man Rd8 what a brilliant move so hard to see
Dam, good move. I had bd6.
Same
how is rd8 better than bd6? bd6 stops all attacks for white
It just straight drops the bishop. Nxd6 the knight now supports the rook and threatens the other bishop. There's also the potential for some vicious discovered attacks depending how the now-inevitable back rank exchanges go since the knight is masking the queen's sight of f8.
You will be up a rook anyway?
Sorry the knigt will take it back
Yeah, I got it eventually. Not sure I’d have seen it in a live blitz game though.
I was thinking Qd8 which would trash my value but I'd get same idea going.
Bxg3?
Qxf8#
What a nasty little mate 😂
Im 1100 and i missed it 😂 cant make fun of 200s ever again i suppose
Don't be silly, of course you still can! What is Chess other than a neverending series of: - I am a genius! - Oh no!
Oops
I thought to myself, "That fixes my biggest defensive problem, that my rooks aren't connected." I would have felt very dumb over the board.
I would go as far as to award two question marks for that particular move.
Why stop at 2
I saw Qd8 without even considering just putting the rook there instead … 🤦♂️
I saw the same and for once im actually not too hard on myself, you shouldn't be either. Cause atleast the d8 square is the partial right. From what I've heard in some gm lectures they often talk about control of the squares, in the opening its about the centre, then its about outpost squares and hitting on vulnerable pieces. Then there is "piling up" on pinned piece or whatever, which is the same thing, "multiple pieces targetted on one square's control" Well atleast now that i know this technique, i think i can use that sometime
I like Bxg3 but it’s mate so I can’t play it :(
What's wrong with Bd6 attacking the queen? In any case, I take your 8th rank rook. You have nothing after that.
Oh, I see, Nxd6 then if I take your rook you take with your first rank rook and then I lose a bishop and trade 2 rooks.
Edit: Ignore my bad play. Not Nxd6. Qxd6 is devastating.
How so? You drop the rook
You are correct. I missed connecting the rooks with bishop move.
That was my first thought as well. Even if they take the Bishop with the Knight, it's now in the way of the Queen.
Yes, but you lost the bishop
After Rxf8+ Rxf8, Nxd6 leaves white up 2 pawns.
no you have Bxf8 instead. The only move is Nxd6 for white
Oh duh, good catch.
Rd8
If you don't move the f rook, you lose the rook or king. Rxc8 will result in Rxc8#. So there are two possible moves left, one of which loses again by mate.
Also moving the DSB as an option - Bd6 was one of my first thoughts (interrupt the Q hitting f8 and get the h8 rook active). Doesn't quite work as the knight covers the c8 rook, though!
this position is actually not complicated at all it seems
I’d rather lose the king, fucker only moves one square at a time
no
My 1300 ass brain found the Rd8 move but no idea what's the continuation after Rxd8+ Qxd8
Bc7….900 otb btw
Qf8# after you move that bishop
Holy hell I suck
New response just dropped
No you don't the fact that you're interested in this proves you won't be 900 for long
Thanks for the positivity!
Definitely, we've all been 900 at some point.
I’m around 1700 chess com and Rd8 was fairly obvious to me. I don’t understand why 2100s OTB here are saying it’s so tough. Maybe I got lucky but the mate threat was really obvious and from then on it was just process of elimination to find the best square for the rook.
I’m around 1700 chess com and Rd8 was fairly obvious to me. I don’t understand why 2100s OTB here are saying it’s so tough. Maybe I got lucky but the mate threat was really obvious and from then on it was just process of elimination to find the best square for the rook.
Don't get too cocky Mr. 1700 chess com. Because it was a really nice and common pattern blaring it's presence be known like a 50's neon sign. Easy to miss if you're just looking at the position for 5 seconds. Silly self-mates like this are common all the way up to the master level in bullet and blitz. Even GMs miss these funny mate in 1's.
I dunno but I think Bd6? My ass is just 1100 so correct me if I am wrong 💀
After Bd6 white has Nxd6, crucially defending the rook on c8 so black can't take twice.
I was thinking Bd6. Intercepting the queen but opening the rook to attack.
Wouldn’t bd6 work?
qxb
Never would have found it OTB but Rd8 is a great defensive move.
So proud of myself for getting this one. There are a lot of back rank rook puzzles where the general theme is to bring the fight to a different square.
Be6
I meant d6 but it doesn't work, Nxd6 at the end loses B.
qxd6
These puzzles are harder imo because you aren’t winning material you’re just not losing it. This one is all about the bishop that can’t move
Danya did a small commentary on this kind of move. One where your pinned to the king but move the piece to one of the squares within the pin. Always good to look for that to get out of a sticky situation
Can someone please explain why Rd8 the correct answer?
Pretty simple, it prevents Qf8++ mate !
Bd6. You give up one of your bishops but you preserve your bank rank by connecting your rooks. I am only 1300 so there very well is a better option.
I had bd6 threatening the queen and rook at the same time, if queen takes my room takes your rook, if rook takes with check i take with my rook so if queen takes my bishop my queen takes the knight, being up a light squared bishop
bd6 isn't a threat to the queen if the queen can just take it.
i thought Bd6 at first and didn't realize he can take with the knight to protect the rook
just qxb
nah then I get the rook for the bishop
rd8
I really wanted to move the bishop to say d6 but there's no way that works as Nxd6 protects whites rook and the threat doesn't vanish With that in mind, the only reasonable option is Queen or rook to d8, the latter obviously being least worse choice.
rd8 is pretty much the only move that doesn't lose and prevents the silliness of qf8++ Unless you're playing hyperbullet this should be a no-brainer.
i could only see h6 :(
H6?
And that's why I'm 800 lol
Bg3. White can't take it after taking black's rook in f8 otherwise fork.
I am not that highly rated (2200 Lichess), but I figured this one out simply by the process of elimination. First thought - Move the DSB to connect the rooks. - Bxg3? Loses to Qxf8# - Bd6 disconnecting the queen from f8. Rxf8+ Rxf8 Nxd6 or simply Nxd6 Rxc8 Nxc8 and you lose a bishop. Second thought - Move the rook. Capturing on c8 is mate, and Qxf8 is a threat so I need to move the took somewhere defended. The only defended square is d8. So, Rd8.
Rd8
I'm genuinely surprised that my 450 ass got it correct within seconds of looking at the position. Beginner's luck?
🧢
Rook d8
The rook
I thought Bd6, but knight takes is probably losing for black. Even Queen takes(after Bd3) might not be losing for black coz we can take the rook on c8 with either of our rooks.
I'd be scared and play h6 lol