Chess Puzzle #7CDpA — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2111 · Expert · defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/f1; bishops c2/h6; pawns a4/c3/d4/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen b2; rooks a8/e8; bishop c8; knight f6; pawns a6/b7/c6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf6 — rook f1→f6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxa1+ — queen b2→a1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
  3. Best move: Re1 — rook e8→e1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxa1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b1r2k/1p3p2/p1p2npB/8/P2P4/2PQ3P/1qB3P1/R4RK1 w - - 1 23

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