Chess Puzzle #vzr4M — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2325 · Expert · advantage, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king h1; queen h4; rooks e1/f3; bishop f4; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/c2/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks d4/f8; bishop b6; knight e8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg3 — rook f3→g3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe4 — queen g6→e4, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxg7+ (rook g3→g7, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Nxg7 — knight e8→g7, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxe4 (rook e1→e4, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxe4 — rook d4→e4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4nrk1/ppp2pp1/1b4qp/4P3/3rNB1Q/5R2/PPP3PP/4R2K w - - 4 23

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