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

Rating 1961 · Advanced · equality, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king f2; queen d3; rooks a1/h7; bishop g4; pawns a4/b5/c2/f3. Black: king d8; queen g5; rook f8; bishop d5; pawns a7/b7/c7/d4/e4. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd7+ — rook h7→d7, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ke8 — king d8→e8. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen d3→d4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Qxg4 — queen g5→g4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Re7+ (rook d7→e7, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kxe7 — king e8→e7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame, pin. The key move is Ke8.

Position data

FEN: 3k1r2/ppp4R/8/1P1b2q1/P2pp1B1/3Q1P2/2P2K2/R7 w - - 0 34

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