Chess Puzzle #ZUEZ7 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2812 · Master · crushing, defensive move, en passant, endgame, long.

Position

White: king h2; rooks c2/c8; knight g5; pawns d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g6; queen a1; rook b1; pawns d5/e4/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg8+ — rook c8→g8, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kf5 — king g6→f5. Opponent replies g4+ (pawn g2→g4, gives check).
  3. Best move: hxg3+ — pawn h4→g3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg3 (king h2→g3, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Rb8 — rook b1→b8.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, en passant, endgame, long. The key move hxg3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/8/6k1/3p2N1/3Pp2p/4P2P/2R2PPK/qr6 w - - 1 38

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