Chess Puzzle #0CaOX — Beginner, Black to move, endgame

Rating 678 · Beginner · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pin, queen rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g4; queen b2; pawns f3/h4. Black: king b4; rook c2; pawns b3/d6/e6/g6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qd4+ — queen b2→d4, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc4 — rook c2→c4. Opponent replies Qxc4+ (queen d4→c4, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxc4 — king b4→c4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pin, queen rook endgame, short. The key move is Rc4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/3pp1p1/8/1k4KP/1p3P2/1Qr5/8 w - - 8 55

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