Chess Puzzle #JLd8I — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2350 · Expert · advantage, clearance, exposed king, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rooks f1/f4; bishop c2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e3/h4. Black: king h8; queen h6; rooks a8/f8; bishop b7; pawns a6/b5/c4/e4/f5/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf5 — rook f4→f5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf5 — rook f8→f5, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxf5 (queen f2→f5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rg8+ — rook a8→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g1→f2).
  4. Best move: Rf8 — rook g8→f8.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, exposed king, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Rxf5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/1b5p/p6q/1p3p2/2pPpR1P/2P1P3/PPB2Q2/5RK1 w - - 0 27

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