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

Rating 1972 · Advanced · crushing, defensive move, middlegame, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks c1/c2; bishop a3; pawns a4/d4/e3/e5/g3. Black: king c8; queen h7; rooks d8/h8; bishop g5; pawns a7/c6/d5/f5/g4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc6+ — rook c2→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kb8 — king c8→b8. Opponent replies Qb5+ (queen d3→b5, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ka8 — king b8→a8. Opponent replies Rc8+ (rook c6→c8, gives check).
  4. Best move: Rxc8 — rook d8→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd5+ (queen b5→d5, captures pawn, gives check).
  5. Best move: Qb7 — queen h7→b7.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, middlegame, very long. The key move is Kb8.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/p6q/2p5/3pPpb1/P2P2p1/B2QP1P1/2R5/2R3K1 w - - 2 28

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