Chess Puzzle #N8C9x — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2175 · Expert · advanced pawn, clearance, equality, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen b6; rooks a1/f1; knight f8; pawns a2/b2/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook e8; bishop d5; pawns a6/c5/e3/g7/h6. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f3 — pawn f2→f3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: e2 — pawn e3→e2. Opponent replies Rfe1 (rook f1→e1).
  3. Best move: Qe3+ — queen g5→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  4. Best move: Rxf8 — rook e8→f8, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, clearance, equality, long, middlegame. The key move is e2.

Position data

FEN: 4rNk1/6p1/pQ5p/2pb2q1/8/3Pp3/PP3PPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 24

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