Chess Puzzle #i3mNI — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2201 · Expert · crushing, deflection, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king c1; queen c2; rook d3; bishop e5; knights c4/g5; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f5; rooks a8/f8; bishop c5; pawns a3/c6/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg3 — rook d3→g3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f5→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen c2→d1).
  3. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen f1→c4, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
  4. Best move: Rf1 — rook f8→f1.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/8/2p5/2b1BqNp/2N5/p2R4/PPQ3PP/2K5 w - - 0 28

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