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

Rating 2138 · Expert · crushing, deflection, endgame, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rook c1; pawns a4/d3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b2; rook e8; pawns a6/c5/d4/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc5 — rook c1→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e8→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
  3. Best move: Qxf2 — queen b2→f2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qa8+ (queen d5→a8, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kh7 — king g8→h7. Opponent replies Qf3 (queen a8→f3).
  5. Best move: Qg1+ — queen f2→g1, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, very long. The key move is Re1+.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5pp1/p6p/2pQ4/P2p4/3P3P/1q3PP1/2R3K1 w - - 0 24

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