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

Rating 2021 · Expert · advantage, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen d7; rooks c1/f1; bishop e2; knight c3; pawns a2/b3/c4/f5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/c8; bishop f6; pawns a6/b5/e5/e7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c4→c5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c8→c5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Na4 (knight c3→a4).
  3. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b5→a4, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxc5 (rook c1→c5, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Qxc5+ — queen b6→c5, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1r3k1/3Qpp1p/pq3bp1/1p2pP2/2P5/1PN5/P3B1PP/2R2RK1 w - - 1 20

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