Chess Puzzle #ZcVk1 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2274 · Expert · endgame, equality, intermezzo, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rook d4; bishop f4; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook d8; bishop d6; pawns c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d4→d6, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e7→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
  3. Best move: cxd6 — pawn c7→d6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, intermezzo, short. The key move is Qe1+.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/Q1p1qppp/3b4/8/3R1B2/5P2/PPP2P1P/6K1 w - - 1 24

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