Chess Puzzle #Z8ZGx — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2396 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, short.

Position

White: king g2; queen f5; rook h1; pawns a5/b4/c2. Black: king g7; rooks d8/f8; bishop f4; pawns a6/b5/e5/f7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd2+ — rook d8→d2, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kf3 — king g2→f3. Opponent replies e4+ (pawn e5→e4, gives check).
  3. Best move: Qxe4 — queen f5→e4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is Kf3.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r2/5pk1/p7/Pp2pQ2/1P3b2/8/2P3K1/7R b - - 0 38

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