Chess Puzzle #uk82r — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2508 · Master · advantage, long, middlegame, pin, sacrifice.

Position

White: king f3; queen e1; rooks a1/h1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c4/e3. Black: king c8; queen f5; rook h8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/g7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke2 — king f3→e2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qc2+ — queen f5→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Qd2 (queen e1→d2).
  3. Best move: Nd4+ — knight c6→d4, gives check. Opponent replies exd4 (pawn e3→d4, captures knight).
  4. Best move: Re8+ — rook h8→e8, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin, sacrifice. The key move is Qc2+.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/ppp3p1/2n2p2/5q2/2P5/2N1PK2/PP6/R3Q2R w - - 1 23

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