Chess Puzzle #3jy5z — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1511 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks c7/e6; pawns c4/f2/g5/h2. Black: king b4; queen c3; rook d3; knight e5; pawns a7/b6/g6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c5+ — pawn c4→c5, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd4 — rook d3→d4. Opponent replies Qxd4+ (queen h4→d4, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Qxd4 — queen c3→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is Rd4.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1R5/1p2R1p1/4n1P1/1kP4Q/2qr4/5P1P/6K1 w - - 3 34

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