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

Rating 2244 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, short.

Position

White: king e3; rook h6; pawns a2/c4/e6/f2/g3. Black: king d8; knight f6; pawns a7/b6/d5/d6/e7/f3/g4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf6 — rook h6→f6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: exf6 — pawn e7→f6, captures rook. Opponent replies cxd5 (pawn c4→d5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: b5 — pawn b6→b5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move exf6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3k4/p3p3/1p1pPn1R/3p4/2P3p1/4KpP1/P4P2/8 w - - 0 31

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