Chess Puzzle #4ZM9W — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1103 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long.

Position

White: king b2; queen d3; rook c1; pawns b5/f4/g2/g3. Black: king b7; queen g4; knight c5; pawns b6/c7/e6/f5/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qf3+ — queen d3→f3, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf3 — queen g4→f3, captures queen. Opponent replies gxf3 (pawn g2→f3, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Nd3+ — knight c5→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king b2→b1).
  4. Best move: Nxc1 — knight d3→c1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move Qxf3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/1kp5/1p2p3/1Pn2p1p/5Pq1/3Q2P1/1K4P1/2R5 w - - 0 38

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