«Tactics means making the best use of manpower in a given situation; strategy means figuring out how to win before the battle even starts.» — Tito Livio
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Puzzle #78: Discovered attack

Rating ≈ 1300 · 2 moves to find

White to move and win material.

Puzzle position: White to move and win material.♚︎♜︎♟︎♜︎♝︎♟︎♟︎♟︎♟︎♟︎♟︎♟︎♝︎♟︎♟︎♚︎a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Show a hint

Moving one piece can open a line for another.

Show the solution
  1. 42. Rxf7+ — the rook takes the pawn on f7 and uncovers a check from the bishop on b6 and at the same time attacks the rook on g7.
  2. 42… Ke8 is forced: it is the best way out of check.
  3. 43. Rxg7 — the rook takes the rook on g7.

Why it works. Moving one piece uncovers an attack from another, creating two threats in a single move. At the end of the line White is about 6 points of material better off.

Themes: Discovered attack, Winning material

Want to recognise this pattern faster? Read the guide.

This position comes from a training game and was checked with a chess engine: every move you need to find is the only one that works.

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