Chess Puzzle #8E9M2 — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Rating 2385 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long.

Position

White: king e2; queen c4; pawns e7/g3. Black: king c7; rook c6; bishop d7; pawns a7/b2/g4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qb3 — queen c4→b3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rb6 — rook c6→b6. Opponent replies Qc4+ (queen b3→c4, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kd6 — king c7→d6. Opponent replies e8=Q (pawn e7→e8, promotes to queen).
  4. Best move: Bxe8 — bishop d7→e8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Rb6.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1kbP3/2r5/8/2Q3p1/6P1/1p2K3/8 w - - 5 63

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