Chess Puzzle #96b9A — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1409 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long.

Position

White: king h1; queen c3; rook a1; pawns a3/d4/h2. Black: king d6; queen d8; rook f5; pawn a6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook a1→c1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen d8→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
  3. Best move: Rg5+ — rook f5→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Qg3+ (queen c3→g3, gives check).
  4. Best move: Rxg3+ — rook g5→g3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Rxg3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3q4/8/p2k4/5r2/3P4/P1Q5/7P/R6K w - - 1 41

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