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

Rating 1517 · Intermediate · advantage, attraction, deflection, endgame, short.

Position

White: king b4; queen c3; rooks a1/e8; bishop a3; pawns a2/f5/h3. Black: king h7; queen f4; rook a6; pawns a7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 8 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc4 — queen c3→c4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra4+ — rook a6→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa4 (king b4→a4, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen f4→c4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, deflection, endgame, short. The key move Qxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4R3/p5pk/r6p/5P2/1K3q2/B1Q4P/P7/R7 w - - 0 40

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