Chess Puzzle #5x6SM — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2373 · Expert · advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks f1/f3; bishop c2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen h4; rook e8; bishop d6; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e3/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf7+ — rook f3→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kh8 — king g7→h8. Opponent replies Rxh7+ (rook f7→h7, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Qxh7 — queen h4→h7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxg6 (queen d3→g6, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Qxg6 — queen h7→g6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Kh8.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/ppp2pkp/2nb2p1/8/3P3q/2PQpR1P/PPB3P1/5RK1 w - - 0 21

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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