Chess Puzzle #M23go — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2220 · Expert · crushing, endgame, fork, long.

Position

White: king f1; queen f3; rook h1; bishop b2; pawns a2/b3/c4/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen g5; rook d7; bishop f2; pawns b7/c6/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxf2 — king f1→f2, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd2+ — rook d7→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f2→g1).
  3. Best move: Qc5+ — queen g5→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
  4. Best move: Rxb2 — rook d2→b2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Rd2+.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/1p1r1p1p/2p5/6q1/2P5/1P3Q2/PB3bPP/5K1R w - - 0 26

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