Chess Puzzle #1SSgL — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1385 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, master, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen c3; rook c4; pawns a4/b3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook c8; pawns a5/c5/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc5 — rook c4→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd6+ — queen e6→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Qe5 (queen c3→e5).
  3. Best move: Qxc5 — queen d6→c5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move is Qd6+.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/8/4q1p1/p1p4p/P1R5/1PQ4P/6PK/8 w - - 0 43

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