Chess Puzzle #040za — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2230 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen g7; rooks c1/f4; pawns a3/b4/f2/g3/h6. Black: king e7; queen d5; rooks d8/e2; pawns a7/d2/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc7+ — rook c1→c7, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kd6 — king e7→d6. Opponent replies Qf6+ (queen g7→f6, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxc7 — king d6→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is Kd6.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/p3kpQp/6pP/3q4/1P3R2/P5P1/3prP2/2R3K1 w - - 0 36

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