Chess Puzzle #H674l — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2218 · Expert · crushing, endgame, master, short.

Position

White: king a2; queen e2; rook f6; bishop d3; pawns a3/b3/e5/h2. Black: king b8; queen c1; rook c3; pawns a5/b5/d4/e6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf7 — rook f6→f7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies Qb2 (queen e2→b2).
  3. Best move: axb3+ — pawn a4→b3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move axb3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/8/4pR2/pp2P3/3p4/PPrB4/K3Q2P/2q5 w - - 0 37

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