Chess Puzzle #4TLN6 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1177 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, fork, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen f3; rook b8; pawns c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen a1; rook g6; pawns a6/c5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxf7 — queen f3→f7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe5+ — queen a1→e5, gives check. Opponent replies g3 (pawn g2→g3).
  3. Best move: Qxb8 — queen e5→b8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Qe5+.

Position data

FEN: 1R6/5ppk/p5rp/2p5/8/5Q1P/2P2PPK/q7 w - - 7 35

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