Chess Puzzle #06X2K — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1134 · Beginner · crushing, long, middlegame, skewer.

Position

White: king b2; queen f7; rooks d5/h1; bishop b3; pawns c2/g2/h3. Black: king d8; queen a6; rook a8; bishop e7; knight f8; pawns b4/d6/e5/f6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc1 — king b2→c1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen a6→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
  3. Best move: Qxh1 — queen a1→h1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxd6+ (rook d5→d6, captures pawn, gives check).
  4. Best move: Bxd6 — bishop e7→d6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, skewer. The key move is Qa1+.

Position data

FEN: r2k1n2/4bQ2/q2p1p2/3Rp2p/1p6/1B5P/1KP3P1/7R w - - 1 31

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