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

Rating 2231 · Expert · advantage, clearance, middlegame, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen a3; rook f1; bishop e3; knights c5/e2; pawns c3/d4/e5/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks b8/c8; bishop f8; pawns d5/e6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf3 — rook f1→f3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b8→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f3→f1).
  3. Best move: Ra8 — rook c8→a8. Opponent replies Qxa8 (queen a3→a8, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Rxf1+ — rook b1→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf1 (king g1→f1, captures rook).
  5. Best move: Qxa8 — queen c6→a8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, middlegame, very long. The key move Rxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1rr2bk1/5p1p/2q1p1p1/2NpP3/3P1P2/Q1P1B2P/4N1P1/5RK1 w - - 1 31

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