Chess Puzzle #CCJv1 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1435 · Intermediate · attraction, crushing, deflection, kingside attack, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/f1; bishop f4; pawns a6/b4/c2/g2/g3. Black: king a8; queen c4; rooks d8/h5; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/f7/g6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra3 — rook a1→a3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh1+ — rook h5→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh1 (king g1→h1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen c4→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king h1→h2).
  4. Best move: Rh8+ — rook d8→h8, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, deflection, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Qxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: k2r4/p4pp1/Pp2p1p1/3p3r/1Pq2B2/6P1/2PQ2P1/R4RK1 w - - 4 26

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