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

Rating 1273 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c5; rooks a1/f1; pawns a4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b2; rooks c8/f8; pawns d7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rfb1 — rook f1→b1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxb1+ — queen b2→b1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb1 (rook a1→b1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c8→c5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Qxb1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/3p1p1p/6p1/2Q5/P7/5P2/1q4PP/R4RK1 w - - 1 20

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