Chess Puzzle #ELtXN — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1734 · Advanced · defensive move, endgame, equality, short.

Position

White: king f3; queen e7; bishop d5; knight d7; pawns a3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f1; rook c1; bishop e6; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qh1+ — queen f1→h1, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kf4 — king f3→f4. Opponent replies Rc4+ (rook c1→c4, gives check).
  3. Best move: Bxc4 — bishop d5→c4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, short. The key move is Kf4.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pp1NQppp/4b3/3B4/8/P4KP1/5P1P/2r2q2 b - - 3 27

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