Chess Puzzle #BODXX — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2017 · Expert · advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks e1/f1; bishop d3; pawns a3/b2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks a8/f8; bishop d7; pawns a7/b7/c6/e4/f4/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxe4 — bishop d3→e4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: f3 — pawn f4→f3. Opponent replies Qb3+ (queen c2→b3, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Opponent replies Bxf3 (bishop e4→f3, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Rxf3 — rook f8→f3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame, pin. The key move is f3.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pp1b2pp/2p5/6q1/3Ppp2/P2BP2P/1PQ2PP1/4RRK1 w - - 0 18

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