Chess Puzzle #1Rycf — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2398 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long.

Position

White: king h2; queen b6; knight e2; pawns a3/e3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rook e1; bishop d6; knight e4; pawns a6/e6/f7/g5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qd4 — queen b6→d4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe2 — rook e1→e2, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxe4 (queen d4→e4, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Bxf4+ — bishop d6→f4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h2→g1).
  4. Best move: Bg3 — bishop f4→g3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move Bxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p2/pQ1bp2p/6p1/4nP2/P3P2P/4N1PK/4r3 w - - 2 31

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