Chess Puzzle #smU4o — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2002 · Expert · advanced pawn, clearance, endgame, equality, promotion, very long.

Position

White: king h2; rook e6; knight b5; pawns d6/f3/g2/h4. Black: king g8; rook a1; pawns a2/b6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc3 — knight b5→c3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh1+ — rook a1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king h2→g3).
  3. Best move: a1=Q — pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen. Opponent replies d7 (pawn d6→d7).
  4. Best move: Kf7 — king g8→f7. Opponent replies d8=Q (pawn d7→d8, promotes to queen).
  5. Best move: Kxe6 — king f7→e6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, clearance, endgame, equality, promotion, very long. The key move is Rh1+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/7p/1p1PR1p1/1N6/7P/5P2/p5PK/r7 w - - 0 34

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