Chess Puzzle #00ZSd — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1254 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long, pin.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks c8/d1; pawns a3/b2/d4/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen d5; rook e3; bishop b6; pawns a6/b5/f7/g6/h4. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh1 — king g1→h1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh3+ — rook e3→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
  3. Best move: Bxd4+ — bishop b6→d4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd4 (rook d1→d4, captures bishop).
  4. Best move: Qxd4+ — queen d5→d4, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pin. The key move Rxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/5pk1/pb4p1/1p1q4/3P1P1p/P3r2P/1PQ3P1/3R2K1 w - - 6 45

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