Chess Puzzle #HqDR8 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2248 · Expert · endgame, equality, very long.

Position

White: king h2; queen d4; rooks e7/f3; pawns a3/b2/c4/d6/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen c1; rooks d8/f8; pawns a6/b6/f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rexf7 — rook e7→f7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qd5 (queen d4→d5).
  3. Best move: Rd7 — rook d8→d7. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f3→f7, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Rxf7 — rook d7→f7, captures rook. Opponent replies d7 (pawn d6→d7).
  5. Best move: Qf4+ — queen c1→f4, gives check. Opponent replies g3 (pawn g2→g3).
  6. Best move: Qf2+ — queen f4→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh3 (king h2→h3).
  7. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, very long. The key move Rxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/4Rp2/pp1P2p1/7p/2PQ3P/P4R2/1P4PK/2q5 w - - 0 35

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