Chess Puzzle #sCt3J — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2282 · Expert · crushing, endgame, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen f6; rook f1; pawns a3/b4/d4/f2/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen e2; rook d5; pawns a6/b7/e6/f7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h4 — pawn h2→h4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxg4+ — queen e2→g4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
  3. Best move: Rf5 — rook d5→f5. Opponent replies Qxh6 (queen f6→h6, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Rh5 — rook f5→h5. Opponent replies Qxh5 (queen h6→h5, captures rook).
  5. Best move: Qxh5 — queen g4→h5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move Qxg4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p3p2/p3pQ1p/3r4/1P1P2P1/P7/4qP1P/5RK1 w - - 1 27

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