Chess Puzzle #N6jjz — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2709 · Master · defensive move, equality, middlegame, pin, quiet move, very long.

Position

White: king a1; queen c2; rooks e1/e6; knights c5/g3; pawns a2/b4/f2/h4. Black: king b8; queen f7; rooks c8/d4; knight c4; pawns a7/f3/g4/h5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qa4 — queen c2→a4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qg7 — queen f7→g7. Opponent replies R6e5 (rook e6→e5).
  3. Best move: Rd5 — rook d4→d5. Opponent replies Qb5+ (queen a4→b5, gives check).
  4. Best move: Ka8 — king b8→a8. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen b5→c4, captures knight).
  5. Best move: Rxe5 — rook d5→e5, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxe5 (rook e1→e5, captures rook).
  6. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen g7→e5, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, pin, quiet move, very long. The key move Qxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1kr5/p4q2/4R3/2N4p/1Pnr2pP/5pN1/P1Q2P2/K3R3 w - - 0 33

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