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

Rating 2383 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king h3; queen f5; rooks a1/h1; bishop c4; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/d5/g2. Black: king d8; queen c5; rooks g8/h8; bishop d6; pawns a7/b7/c7/h5. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rae1 — rook a1→e1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qf2 — queen c5→f2. Opponent replies Qf6+ (queen f5→f6, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kc8 — king d8→c8. Opponent replies Re8+ (rook e1→e8, gives check).
  4. Best move: Rxe8 — rook g8→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Qf2.

Position data

FEN: 3k2rr/ppp5/3b4/2qP1Q1p/2B5/3P1N1K/PPP3P1/R6R w - - 8 24

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