Chess Puzzle #tC3hw — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2438 · Master · advantage, exposed king, middlegame, pin, very long.

Position

White: king c2; queen c4; rooks d1/h1; bishops d2/f1; knight c3; pawns e6/f2/g2/h3. Black: king b8; queen a3; rooks c8/h8; bishop c6; pawns a7/b7/f6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f3 — pawn f2→f3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ba4+ — bishop c6→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Nxa4 (knight c3→a4, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxa4+ — queen a3→a4, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kb2 (king c2→b2).
  4. Best move: Rxc4 — rook c8→c4, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxc4 (bishop f1→c4, captures rook).
  5. Best move: Qxc4 — queen a4→c4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Qxa4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1kr4r/pp5p/2b1Ppp1/8/2Q5/q1N4P/2KB1PP1/3R1B1R w - - 4 22

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