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

Position

White: king g3; queen g7; pawns d4/e3/f4/g5/h6. Black: king c6; queen d7; pawns e4/e6/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd7+ — queen g7→d7, captures queen, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kxd7 — king c6→d7, captures queen. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g3→f2).
3. Best move: Kc6 — king d7→c6. Opponent replies Ke1 (king f2→e1).
4. Best move: Kb5 — king c6→b5. Opponent replies Kd1 (king e1→d1).
5. Best move: Kb4 — king b5→b4. Opponent replies Kc2 (king d1→c2).
6. Best move: Kc4 — king b4→c4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move Kxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/3q2Qp/2k1p1pP/5pP1/3PpP2/4P1K1/8/8 w - - 16 42

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.