Chess Puzzle #tU9jK — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2742 · Master · collinear move, crushing, middlegame, pin, very long.

Position

White: king f1; queen b3; rooks d1/f5; bishops g2/g5; pawns a2/b2/d5/e3/h4. Black: king c8; queen h2; rooks f8/g8; knight g4; pawns a7/b7/c7/e4/h5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf8+ — rook f5→f8, captures rook, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook g8→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bf4 (bishop g5→f4).
  3. Best move: Qg3 — queen h2→g3. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f1→g1).
  4. Best move: Rxf4 — rook f8→f4, captures bishop. Opponent replies exf4 (pawn e3→f4, captures rook).
  5. Best move: Ne3 — knight g4→e3. Opponent replies Qxe3 (queen b3→e3, captures knight).
  6. Best move: Qxe3+ — queen g3→e3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

collinear move, crushing, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k2rr1/ppp5/8/3P1RBp/4p1nP/1Q2P3/PP4Bq/3R1K2 w - - 3 29

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