Chess Puzzle #Mcu6T — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen e8; pawns a4/b3/g2/h3. Black: king c8; rook d8; pawns a5/b4/c5/d2/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe6+ — queen e8→e6, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd7 — rook d8→d7. Opponent replies Qa6+ (queen e6→a6, gives check).
3. Best move: Kd8 — king c8→d8. Opponent replies Qxa5+ (queen a6→a5, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke7 — king d8→e7. Opponent replies Qxc5+ (queen a5→c5, captures pawn, gives check).
5. Best move: Kf7 — king e7→f7. Opponent replies Qc4+ (queen c5→c4, gives check).
6. Best move: Kg7 — king f7→g7.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, queen rook endgame, sacrifice, very long. The key move is Rd7.

Position data

FEN: 2krQ3/7p/6p1/p1p5/Pp6/1P5P/3p1KP1/8 w - - 2 48

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