Chess Puzzle #9tVzG — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2025 · Expert · crushing, deflection, endgame, very long.

Position

White: king c2; queen d2; rooks f1/f7; pawns a2/c3/d4/g4/h6. Black: king g8; queen b5; rooks b8/e3; pawns a7/c4/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxe3 — queen d2→e3, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qb2+ — queen b5→b2, gives check. Opponent replies Kd1 (king c2→d1).
  3. Best move: Qb1+ — queen b2→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d1→e2).
  4. Best move: Rb2+ — rook b8→b2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf3 (king e2→f3).
  5. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen b1→f1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, very long. The key move Qxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p4R1p/6pP/1q6/2pP2P1/2P1r3/P1KQ4/5R2 w - - 3 29

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