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

Rating 2134 · Expert · defensive move, endgame, equality, long.

Position

White: king f1; queen b3; rooks e6/h4; pawns b4/c4/d5/f3/g2. Black: king h7; queen f5; rook d7; bishop f6; pawns b6/d6/f4/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg4 — rook h4→g4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: h5 — pawn h6→h5. Opponent replies Rxf6 (rook e6→f6, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxf6 — queen f5→f6, captures rook. Opponent replies Qd3+ (queen b3→d3, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kh6 — king h7→h6.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, long. The key move is h5.

Position data

FEN: 8/3r3k/1p1pRb1p/3P1q2/1PP2p1R/1Q3P2/6P1/5K2 w - - 7 39

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