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

Rating 2356 · Expert · advantage, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long.

Position

White: king e3; queen f4; bishop c4; knights b8/e4; pawns a4/b2/d6/g3/g4. Black: king g8; queen g1; rook e8; pawns a7/b6/c5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd3 — king e3→d3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd4+ — queen g1→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc2 (king d3→c2).
  3. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen d4→c4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Nc3 (knight e4→c3).
  4. Best move: Qxf4 — queen c4→f4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Qxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1N2r1k1/p4p1p/1p1P2p1/2p5/P1B1NQP1/4K1P1/1P6/6q1 w - - 5 32

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