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

Rating 1389 · Intermediate · crushing, deflection, endgame, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook e1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king a6; queen d2; rook f2; pawns a7/b6/c7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b2→b4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxg2+ — rook f2→g2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg2 (queen e4→g2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen d2→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qf1+ (queen g2→f1, gives check).
  4. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen e1→f1, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf1 (king g1→f1, captures queen).
  5. Best move: Kb5 — king a6→b5.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, very long. The key move Rxg2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1p3p1/kp5p/8/3PQ3/2P5/PP1q1rPP/4R1K1 w - - 6 30

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