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

Rating 1831 · Advanced · crushing, defensive move, master, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king f2; queen c5; rooks a1/h1; bishop c1; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen e4; rook a8; bishop h3; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d4/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc4+ — queen c5→c4, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kg7 — king f7→g7. Opponent replies Bh6+ (bishop c1→h6, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxh6 — king g7→h6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, master, middlegame, short. The key move is Kg7.

Position data

FEN: r7/ppp2k1p/2n3p1/2Q5/3pq3/7b/PPP2KPP/R1B4R w - - 2 16

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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