Chess Puzzle #4L2FC — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1249 · Intermediate · crushing, deflection, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen f2; rooks e2/e6; knight f6; pawns a2/b4/g2/h3. Black: king f7; queen b8; rooks d1/d8; pawns a7/b6/f5/g6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qg3 — queen f2→g3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh1+ — rook d1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh1 (king h2→h1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxg3 — queen b8→g3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, middlegame, short. The key move is Rh1+.

Position data

FEN: 1q1r4/p4k2/1p2RNp1/5p2/1P6/7P/P3RQPK/3r4 w - - 3 36

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