Chess Puzzle #76lbK — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1545 · Intermediate · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rook e1; bishop e3; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen d3; rook e8; bishop f6; pawns a7/b7/d6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g3 — pawn g2→g3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe3 — rook e8→e3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qg8+ (queen g4→g8, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kc7 — king b8→c7.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k2r3/pp5p/3p1b2/8/6Q1/3qBN2/PP4PP/4R1K1 w - - 9 26

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