Chess Puzzle #FFfjW — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1557 · Intermediate · crushing, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long.

Position

White: king h2; queen e4; rook b8; knight h3; pawns b4/c3/e5/f2. Black: king h7; queen c1; rook d1; pawns e6/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qf4 — queen e4→f4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh1+ — rook d1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king h2→g3).
  3. Best move: Rxh3+ — rook h1→h3, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh3 (king g3→h3, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Qxf4 — queen c1→f4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Rxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1R6/5p1k/4p1pp/4P3/1P2Q3/2P4N/5P1K/2qr4 w - - 0 35

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