Chess Puzzle #RVG8k — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2344 · Expert · advantage, defensive move, endgame, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen f5; rook a7; knight f3; pawns d4/f2/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook e8; knight c3; pawns b6/f7/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne2+ — knight c3→e2, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kf1 — king g1→f1. Opponent replies Re7 (rook e8→e7).
  3. Best move: Qf6 — queen f5→f6. Opponent replies Ng3+ (knight e2→g3, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kg2 — king f1→g2. Opponent replies Rd7 (rook e7→d7).
  5. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen f6→d8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move Qxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3qr1k1/R4p2/1p5p/5Qp1/3P2P1/2n2N2/5P1P/6K1 b - - 0 35

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