Chess Puzzle #XARLy — Advanced, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1818 · Advanced · crushing, defensive move, endgame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen f5; rook d1; pawns b3/g4/h2. Black: king f7; queen a2; rook e2; pawns a7/f6/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd7+ — rook d1→d7, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ke8 — king f7→e8. Opponent replies Rd8+ (rook d7→d8, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxd8 — king e8→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is Ke8.

Position data

FEN: 8/p4k2/5p1p/5Q2/6P1/1P6/q3r2P/3R3K w - - 4 31

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