Chess Puzzle #AQdIx — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1800 · Advanced · crushing, defensive move, endgame, very long.

Position

White: king a3; queen g7; pawns a2/b3/c4/f6/h4. Black: king c3; rook d3; bishop e4; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxf7 — queen g7→f7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd6 — rook d3→d6. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen f7→e8).
  3. Best move: Ra6+ — rook d6→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Qa4 (queen e8→a4).
  4. Best move: Rxa4+ — rook a6→a4, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies bxa4 (pawn b3→a4, captures rook).
  5. Best move: Bg6 — bishop e4→g6.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move Rxa4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/ppp2pQ1/5P2/8/2P1b2P/KPkr4/P7/8 w - - 9 36

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