Chess Puzzle #XD7l7 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2108 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long.

Position

White: king h3; queen g4; rooks a1/h1; pawns a2/b3/f4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen f7; rooks d3/d4; pawns a7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc8+ — queen g4→c8, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8 — rook d4→d8. Opponent replies Qg4 (queen c8→g4).
  3. Best move: h5 — pawn h7→h5. Opponent replies Qg5 (queen g4→g5).
  4. Best move: R8d5 — rook d8→d5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Rd8.

Position data

FEN: 7k/p4qpp/8/8/3r1PQ1/1P1r2PK/P6P/R6R w - - 1 34

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