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

Rating 2428 · Master · defensive move, equality, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king e3; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishop g4; knight d4; pawns a2/g2. Black: king e8; queen d5; rooks c4/h8; bishop f4; pawns a7/b7/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd3+ — king e3→d3, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kd8 — king e8→d8. Opponent replies Re4 (rook e1→e4).
  3. Best move: Be5 — bishop f4→e5. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook a1→c1).
  4. Best move: Rxd4+ — rook c4→d4, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, long, middlegame. The key move Rxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4k2r/pp4p1/8/3q4/2rN1bB1/4K3/P5P1/R2QR3 w k - 1 31

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