Chess Puzzle #CfACn — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1567 · Intermediate · advantage, defensive move, endgame, short.

Position

White: king g4; queen h6; rooks a3/h1; pawns f3/g3. Black: king g8; queen g2; rooks b2/c8; pawns d5/e6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc4+ — rook c8→c4, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: f4 — pawn f3→f4. Opponent replies Rxf4+ (rook c4→f4, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Qxf4 — queen h6→f4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is f4.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5p2/4p1pQ/3p4/6K1/R4PP1/1r4q1/7R b - - 6 38

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