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

Rating 2399 · Expert · advantage, exposed king, fork, middlegame, sacrifice, very long.

Position

White: king h2; queen b4; rooks c2/c3; bishop g3; pawns a5/b5/f2/f3/h4. Black: king a8; queen e6; rooks d7/g8; bishop d4; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/f7/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc7 — rook c3→c7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc7 — rook d7→c7, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc7 (rook c2→c7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Bxf2 — bishop d4→f2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxf2 (bishop g3→f2, captures bishop).
  4. Best move: Qe5+ — queen e6→e5, gives check. Opponent replies f4 (pawn f3→f4).
  5. Best move: Qxc7 — queen e5→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, fork, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: k5r1/pppr1p2/4qp2/PP5p/1Q1b3P/2R2PB1/2R2P1K/8 w - - 1 38

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