Chess Puzzle #1jGyZ — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1252 · Intermediate · crushing, deflection, endgame, master, short.

Position

White: king a1; queen e5; rook d1; pawns a3/b2/h4. Black: king g8; queen g4; rook c8; pawns a6/f7/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qd4 — queen e5→d4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook d1→c1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxd4 — queen g4→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, master, short. The key move is Rc1+.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5pp1/p7/4Q3/6qP/P7/1P6/K2R4 w - - 4 40

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