Chess Puzzle #4vmqS — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1365 · Intermediate · defensive move, endgame, equality, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d7; rook g3; knight a5; pawns b3/g2. Black: king b1; queen e5; rook c2; pawns c5/g6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qd1+ — queen d7→d1, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1 — rook c2→c1. Opponent replies Qxc1+ (queen d1→c1, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxc1 — king b1→c1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, pin, short. The key move is Rc1.

Position data

FEN: 8/3Q4/6p1/N1p1q3/8/1P4R1/2r3P1/1k4K1 w - - 0 59

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