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

Rating 1432 · Intermediate · endgame, equality, hanging piece, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rook h3; bishop c4; pawns a2/c3/f2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c5; rook f8; knight f3; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf3 — rook h3→f3, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc4 — queen c5→c4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rh3 (rook f3→h3).
  3. Best move: Qg4+ — queen c4→g4, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, hanging piece, short. The key move Qxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/ppp2p2/6pQ/2q5/2B5/2P2n1R/P4P1P/6K1 w - - 0 25

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