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

Rating 2208 · Expert · crushing, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen g3; rooks a1/h6; bishop c1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e3/e5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e2; rooks a8/f1; bishop e7; pawns a7/b7/c5/d5/e4/e6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg6 — rook h6→g6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd1 — queen e2→d1. Opponent replies Rxg7+ (rook g6→g7, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kh8 — king g8→h8.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move is Qd1.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/pp2b1p1/4p2R/2ppP3/3Pp3/2P1P1QP/PP2q1PK/R1B2r2 w - - 3 23

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