Chess Puzzle #x3gkb — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2291 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, middlegame, quiet move, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks e1/e2; bishop b5; knight c8; pawns a4/b3/d5/f2/g3. Black: king g8; queen h3; rooks b4/f7; bishop e5; pawns a5/c5/e4/f5. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxc5 — queen c2→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh7 — rook f7→h7. Opponent replies Ne7+ (knight c8→e7, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kf7 — king g8→f7. Opponent replies Be8+ (bishop b5→e8, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kxe8 — king f7→e8, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qc8+ (queen c5→c8, gives check).
  5. Best move: Kxe7 — king e8→e7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, middlegame, quiet move, very long. The key move is Rh7.

Position data

FEN: 2N3k1/5r2/8/pBpPbp2/Pr2p3/1P4Pq/2Q1RP2/4R1K1 w - - 1 37

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