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

Rating 1077 · Beginner · crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rook f7; pawns a3/b2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king a5; queen d5; rook d4; pawns a6/b5/d6/f5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b4+ — pawn b2→b4, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ka4 — king a5→a4. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen e3→d4, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxd4 — queen d5→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, short. The key move is Ka4.

Position data

FEN: 8/5R2/p2p4/kp1q1p2/3r4/P3Q1P1/1P3P1P/6K1 w - - 5 37

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