Chess Puzzle #VZanM — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2414 · Master · crushing, defensive move, long, master, middlegame, quiet move.

Position

White: king g1; queen c5; rooks e1/g5; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f2. Black: king b8; queen h3; rooks g6/h8; pawns a6/c7/f3/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re4 — rook e1→e4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh6 — rook g6→h6. Opponent replies Rb4+ (rook e4→b4, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ka8 — king b8→a8. Opponent replies Qd5+ (queen c5→d5, gives check).
  4. Best move: c6 — pawn c7→c6.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, master, middlegame, quiet move. The key move is Rh6.

Position data

FEN: 1k5r/2p3pp/p5r1/2Q3R1/8/2NP1p1q/PPP2P2/4R1K1 w - - 0 26

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