Chess Puzzle #if1Nj — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2541 · Master · advantage, defensive move, middlegame, sacrifice, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen c7; rook d1; knights b4/c5; pawns a3/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks d8/e2; pawns a7/b5/f3/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g3 — pawn g2→g3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd2 — queen g5→d2. Opponent replies Qxd8+ (queen c7→d8, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kh7 — king g8→h7. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook d1→f1).
  4. Best move: Re1 — rook e2→e1. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen d8→e8).
  5. Best move: Rxe8 — rook e1→e8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move is Qd2.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p1Q3p1/7p/1pN3q1/1N1P4/P1P2p2/1P2rPPP/3R2K1 w - - 0 30

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