Chess Puzzle #bId15 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2523 · Master · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rook g7; bishops b1/e5; pawns a2/b4/d5/e4/f3/h2. Black: king f8; queen h5; rook a8; knight f4; pawns a7/b6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qf2 — queen c2→f2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe5 — queen h5→e5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxh7 (rook g7→h7, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Rc8 — rook a8→c8.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/p5Rp/1p4p1/3PB2q/1P2Pn2/5P2/P1Q4P/1B5K w - - 3 34

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