Chess Puzzle #sf05Q — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2261 · Expert · advantage, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king b1; queen g6; rooks c2/e1; bishop h7; pawns b2/f4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen b4; rooks d8/f8; bishop c3; pawns a4/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c2→c3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd2 — rook d8→d2. Opponent replies Rc2 (rook c3→c2).
  3. Best move: Rxc2 — rook d2→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc2 (queen g6→c2, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen b4→e1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r1k/6pB/6Q1/8/pq3P2/2b3P1/1PR4P/1K2R3 w - - 0 36

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