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

Rating 2305 · Expert · crushing, master, middlegame, pin, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a6/e1; bishops c5/g2; pawns b2/c3. Black: king g8; queen g3; rook f5; bishops b7/g7; pawns b3/e5/g6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra7 — rook a6→a7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bf8 — bishop g7→f8. Opponent replies Bxf8 (bishop c5→f8, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Bxg2 — bishop b7→g2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rg7+ (rook a7→g7, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kxf8 — king g8→f8, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxg6 (rook g7→g6, captures pawn).
  5. Best move: Qxg6 — queen g3→g6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, master, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move is Bf8.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1b4b1/R5p1/2B1pr2/8/1pP3q1/1P1Q2B1/4R1K1 w - - 4 40

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