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

Rating 2364 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long.

Position

White: king h2; rook h7; knight e3; pawns a2/b3/c4/h4. Black: king d6; bishop e4; knight d3; pawns a7/e6/f5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a2→a4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: f4 — pawn f5→f4. Opponent replies c5+ (pawn c4→c5, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kc6 — king d6→c6. Opponent replies Rxa7 (rook h7→a7, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: fxe3 — pawn f4→e3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is f4.

Position data

FEN: 8/p6R/3kp3/5p2/2P1b2P/1P1nN3/P6K/8 w - - 1 30

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