Chess Puzzle #4IKfF — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1444 · Intermediate · advantage, capturing the defender, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g2; queen d2; rooks a2/h1; bishop d4; knight c3; pawns a4/b2/d5/e4/f3/g5. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks b3/e8; bishops c8/g7; pawns a6/b7/c4/d6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f4 — pawn f3→f4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook b3→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b2→c3, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxe4+ — queen e7→e4, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, capturing the defender, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2b1r1k1/1p2qpb1/p2p2p1/3P2P1/P1pBP3/1rN2P2/RP1Q2K1/7R w - - 5 31

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