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

Rating 2791 · Master · defensive move, equality, exposed king, middlegame, very long.

Position

White: king d1; queen c4; rooks a1/h1; bishop e2; knight d2; pawns a2/b3/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f2; rooks a8/f8; bishop a6; pawns e6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxe6+ — queen c4→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Opponent replies Qxa6 (queen e6→a6, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Rxa6 — rook a8→a6, captures queen. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook h1→f1).
  4. Best move: Qd4 — queen f2→d4. Opponent replies Rxf8+ (rook f1→f8, captures rook, gives check).
  5. Best move: Kh7 — king h8→h7. Opponent replies Bxa6 (bishop e2→a6, captures rook).
  6. Best move: Qxa1+ — queen d4→a1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d1→e2).
  7. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen a1→e5, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, exposed king, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxa1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/6p1/b3p2p/4P3/2Q5/1P6/P2NBqPP/R2K3R w - - 3 29

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