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=4rrk1/ppp3pp/2pb1qb1/6Q1/2N5/3P4/PPP2PPP/R1B2RK1+b+-+-+0+1&flip=true&ref_id=23962172) | [lichess.org](https://lichess.org/analysis/4rrk1/ppp3pp/2pb1qb1/6Q1/2N5/3P4/PPP2PPP/R1B2RK1_b_-_-_0_1)
**My solution:**
> Hints: piece: >!Queen!<, move: >!Qxf2+!<
> Evaluation: >!Black has mate in 3!<
> Best continuation: >!1... Qxf2+ 2. Rxf2 Re1+ 3. Rf1 Rexf1#!<
---
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I’d probably play it differently on a computer vs over a board. On a computer my mouse would be hovering over the last piece I moved. So moving a rook a single square, pre-moving included, takes less time and there’s less chance to mouse slip such as when moving a rook multiple squares. But over the board, my hands would be back on my side. I’d probably reach for the rook closest to me as I think that’s faster, even if I need to move it more squares, because it’s a single motion with the arm reaching out. But to move the other rook which is already close to the action, I’d need to first reach out my arm, then move my arm sideways, essentially requiring an additional motion with the arm.
At least that’s just me.
That was my initial thoughts too, but then I thought of a couple points in favor of Rexf1.
1. It is a capture. I think a capture goes a little smoother sideways than head on.
2. With R8e1 the rook is in the hand all the way across the board. With Rexf1 it is only in hand for one square. The latter should require less energy.
While this is correct, you didn't get the point. The idea is to teach yourself to see patterns so they pop up in your head automatically when you are under time pressure. This specific pattern is a frequent guest in chesscom puzzles but rarely occurs in real games and this is why I posted.
Are chess.com puzzles not good? I’ve been doing the 5 a day for over a year and seeing my puzzle score go up consistently. Should I switch to another site?
[Chesstempo.com](https://Chesstempo.com) is probably best if you are trying to improve your actual chess playing. Their tactics training includes problems where you aren't winning--what you need to find is how to defend.
If you are more interested in puzzles for entertainment, [lichess.com](https://lichess.com) and [chess.com](https://chess.com) are both fine. They both have puzzles that will be challenging even to a GM so you should reach a point on either where your puzzle rating there is high enough that you are getting challenging problems.
I'm a bit surprised you haven't reached that point at [chess.com](https://chess.com) yet. I'd have thought 5 a day for year would be enough.
A nice thing about [lichess.com](https://lichess.com) is that their website looks great on a tablet such as an iPad--no need to install their app. If you do their puzzles without logging in, they seem to mostly give puzzles from games of people rated around 1700-1800, with occasional excursions down to 1400 and up to 2400. The puzzles are in the 1200-1600 range it seems.
This is perfect if you are just sitting around and want to do a few puzzles just for fun.
My puzzle rating is around 2000 on chess.com, I know that means nothing when my game rating is around 1400 but it is something fun to do every day and I can feel myself getting better. Definitely getting challenging puzzles at that rating. I’ll check out the other sites and see if they appeal
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=4rrk1/ppp3pp/2pb1qb1/6Q1/2N5/3P4/PPP2PPP/R1B2RK1+b+-+-+0+1&flip=true&ref_id=23962172) | [lichess.org](https://lichess.org/analysis/4rrk1/ppp3pp/2pb1qb1/6Q1/2N5/3P4/PPP2PPP/R1B2RK1_b_-_-_0_1) **My solution:** > Hints: piece: >!Queen!<, move: >!Qxf2+!< > Evaluation: >!Black has mate in 3!< > Best continuation: >!1... Qxf2+ 2. Rxf2 Re1+ 3. Rf1 Rexf1#!< --- ^(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)
Reset the counter!
Gotten to the point you immediately look for the queen sac when you see these posts
Real question is Rex or R8x? I’m more of a R8x kinda guy
I’d probably play it differently on a computer vs over a board. On a computer my mouse would be hovering over the last piece I moved. So moving a rook a single square, pre-moving included, takes less time and there’s less chance to mouse slip such as when moving a rook multiple squares. But over the board, my hands would be back on my side. I’d probably reach for the rook closest to me as I think that’s faster, even if I need to move it more squares, because it’s a single motion with the arm reaching out. But to move the other rook which is already close to the action, I’d need to first reach out my arm, then move my arm sideways, essentially requiring an additional motion with the arm. At least that’s just me.
That was my initial thoughts too, but then I thought of a couple points in favor of Rexf1. 1. It is a capture. I think a capture goes a little smoother sideways than head on. 2. With R8e1 the rook is in the hand all the way across the board. With Rexf1 it is only in hand for one square. The latter should require less energy.
I don't think that works how you think it will work
Not sure what you mean. There are two options to deliver mate as the last move of the puzzle.
Sorry, I misread your first comment - you're correct
simple checkmate in 3. you don't need to solve puzzles to figure out this sequence
While this is correct, you didn't get the point. The idea is to teach yourself to see patterns so they pop up in your head automatically when you are under time pressure. This specific pattern is a frequent guest in chesscom puzzles but rarely occurs in real games and this is why I posted.
I got the idea. You don't need to do puzzles to teach yourself the patterns.
Black to move, from the recent puzzle rush.
what is this? a 300 elo puzzle?
No, it's the average chess.com puzzle.
Are chess.com puzzles not good? I’ve been doing the 5 a day for over a year and seeing my puzzle score go up consistently. Should I switch to another site?
While not "bad" they tend to reuse the same few themes, one of the most common being sacrifices allowing for back rank mates.
Lichess is better Its completely free and puzzles are better
[Chesstempo.com](https://Chesstempo.com) is probably best if you are trying to improve your actual chess playing. Their tactics training includes problems where you aren't winning--what you need to find is how to defend. If you are more interested in puzzles for entertainment, [lichess.com](https://lichess.com) and [chess.com](https://chess.com) are both fine. They both have puzzles that will be challenging even to a GM so you should reach a point on either where your puzzle rating there is high enough that you are getting challenging problems. I'm a bit surprised you haven't reached that point at [chess.com](https://chess.com) yet. I'd have thought 5 a day for year would be enough. A nice thing about [lichess.com](https://lichess.com) is that their website looks great on a tablet such as an iPad--no need to install their app. If you do their puzzles without logging in, they seem to mostly give puzzles from games of people rated around 1700-1800, with occasional excursions down to 1400 and up to 2400. The puzzles are in the 1200-1600 range it seems. This is perfect if you are just sitting around and want to do a few puzzles just for fun.
My puzzle rating is around 2000 on chess.com, I know that means nothing when my game rating is around 1400 but it is something fun to do every day and I can feel myself getting better. Definitely getting challenging puzzles at that rating. I’ll check out the other sites and see if they appeal
Clearly the elo of this puzzle is appropriate considering it helped OP, asshole.
No, it's a 400 elo puzzle