Chess Puzzle #4qtck — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1275 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, short.

Position

White: king e2; queen d6; pawns a2/b3/c6/d4/f4/g3/h2. Black: king d8; queen c3; knight d7; pawns a7/d5/f7/g7/h3. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qb2+ — queen c3→b2, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kf3 — king e2→f3. Opponent replies Qg2+ (queen b2→g2, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kg4 — king f3→g4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is Kf3.

Position data

FEN: 3k4/p2n1pp1/2PQ4/3p4/3P1P2/1Pq3Pp/P3K2P/8 b - - 2 37

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