Chess Puzzle #p2XQK — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1940 · Advanced · advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king h1; queen h7; rooks a1/h2; bishop c1; knight d2; pawns b2/b3/c3/g2/h3. Black: king e8; queen e3; rooks c8/f8; bishop b7; pawns a7/b4/d6/d7/e5/g6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxg6+ — queen h7→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kd8 — king e8→d8. Opponent replies Nf3 (knight d2→f3).
  3. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e3→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Ng1 (knight f3→g1).
  4. Best move: Kc7 — king d8→c7.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Kd8.

Position data

FEN: 2r1kr2/pb1p3Q/3p2p1/4p3/1p6/1PP1q2P/1P1N2PR/R1B4K w - - 0 23

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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