Chess Puzzle #nj9zP — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2755 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, pin, very long.

Position

White: king g1; rook e8; bishop a6; knight d4; pawns a3/b4/c3/d5. Black: king b8; queen h4; bishop c8; pawns a7/b6/c7/d7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qg5+ — queen h4→g5, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kf1 — king g1→f1. Opponent replies Qf4+ (queen g5→f4, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ke2 — king f1→e2. Opponent replies Qg4+ (queen f4→g4, gives check).
  4. Best move: Nf3 — knight d4→f3. Opponent replies Qe4+ (queen g4→e4, gives check).
  5. Best move: Rxe4 — rook e8→e4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pin, very long. The key move is Kf1.

Position data

FEN: 1kb1R3/p1pp4/Bp5p/3P4/1P1N3q/P1P5/8/6K1 b - - 3 33

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