Chess Puzzle #Th62m — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2249 · Expert · crushing, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks f1/f2; knight f6; pawns a3/b4/c5/e4/g2. Black: king c4; queen h4; rook d2; bishop d4; pawns a7/c6/e5/h6. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qa6+ — queen b7→a6, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kc3 — king c4→c3. Opponent replies Ng4 (knight f6→g4).
  3. Best move: Qxg4 — queen h4→g4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Kc3.

Position data

FEN: 8/pQ6/2p2N1p/2P1p3/1PkbP2q/P7/3r1RP1/5RK1 w - - 1 36

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