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

Rating 1221 · Intermediate · crushing, deflection, endgame, short.

Position

White: king c3; queen c4; rooks f1/f7; pawns b4/d3/d6/h2. Black: king b8; queen a3; rook a6; pawns b7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qb3 — queen c4→b3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc6+ — rook a6→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c3→d2).
  3. Best move: Qxb3 — queen a3→b3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is Rc6+.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/1p3Rp1/r2P3p/8/1PQ5/q1KP4/7P/5R2 w - - 3 40

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