Chess Puzzle #1cxX8 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1367 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long, pin.

Position

White: king f2; queen e3; rook e6; pawns a2/b3/c4/d5. Black: king h7; queen h4; rook g7; pawns a6/b6/d6/f6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke2 — king f2→e2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rg2+ — rook g7→g2, gives check. Opponent replies Kd3 (king e2→d3).
  3. Best move: Rg3 — rook g2→g3. Opponent replies Qxg3 (queen e3→g3, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Qxg3+ — queen h4→g3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pin. The key move Qxg3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/6rk/pp1pRp2/3P4/2P4q/1P2Q3/P4K2/8 w - - 0 50

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