Chess Puzzle #tOFR9 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2284 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king h1; queen c5; rooks a1/f1; bishop d1; pawns b3/c4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g7; queen h3; rook a8; knights f3/g5; pawns a7/f6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qe7+ — queen c5→e7, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kg8 — king g7→g8. Opponent replies Bxf3 (bishop d1→f3, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Nxf3 — knight g5→f3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qe6+ (queen e7→e6, gives check).
  4. Best move: Qxe6 — queen h3→e6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Kg8.

Position data

FEN: r7/p5kp/5pp1/2Q3n1/2P5/1P3nPq/5P1P/R2B1R1K w - - 5 27

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