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

Rating 2478 · Master · advantage, attraction, clearance, hanging piece, master, middlegame.

Position

White: king h1; queen h7; rooks c1/h3; bishop b1; pawns a4/b2/d3/e4/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen b6; rooks a6/d8; bishop c8; pawns a5/b3/d7/f4/f7/g6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc8 — rook c1→c8, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc8 — rook d8→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qh8+ (queen h7→h8, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ke7 — king f8→e7. Opponent replies Qxc8 (queen h8→c8, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Qf2 — queen b6→f2. Opponent replies Qc1 (queen c8→c1).
  5. Best move: Rc6 — rook a6→c6. Opponent replies Qg1 (queen c1→g1).
  6. Best move: Qxg1+ — queen f2→g1, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg1 (king h1→g1, captures queen).
  7. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c6→c1, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, clearance, hanging piece, master, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxg1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2br1k2/3p1p1Q/rq4p1/p7/P3Pp2/1p1P3R/1P4PP/1BR4K w - - 1 32

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