Chess Puzzle #D1hQG — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2512 · Master · crushing, defensive move, fork, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king f2; queen d4; rooks f5/g7; bishop c5; pawns a3/c2/h3. Black: king h8; queen c1; rooks a8/d8; pawns a7/c4/c7/d5/f6/g4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxg4 — rook g7→g4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen c1→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f2→g1).
  3. Best move: Qxf5 — queen c2→f5, captures rook. Opponent replies Qd2 (queen d4→d2).
  4. Best move: Rd7 — rook d8→d7.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2r3k/p1p3R1/5p2/2Bp1R2/2pQ2p1/P6P/2P2K2/2q5 w - - 1 32

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