Chess Puzzle #RbC42 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2309 · Expert · crushing, endgame, long.

Position

White: king e2; queen d7; rooks c1/g1; pawns a2/b2/e4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook d8; bishop c7; pawns f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxc7 — queen d7→c7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd2+ — rook d8→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e2→f1).
  3. Best move: Qe3 — queen g5→e3. Opponent replies Qd8+ (queen c7→d8, gives check).
  4. Best move: Rxd8 — rook d2→d8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Rd2+.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/2bQ1p2/6pp/6q1/4P3/5P1P/PP2K1P1/2R3R1 w - - 0 51

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