Chess Puzzle #8WxXy — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2265 · Expert · crushing, endgame, hanging piece, master, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rook c1; bishop e3; pawns a5/b4/c6/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen e8; rook d8; bishop f6; pawns a6/d3/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c7 — pawn c6→c7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe3+ — queen e8→e3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Rc8 — rook d8→c8.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, hanging piece, master, short. The key move Qxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rq2k/6p1/p1P2b1p/P7/1PQ5/3pB3/6PP/2R3K1 w - - 2 34

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