Chess Puzzle #x4SxI — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2335 · Expert · attraction, endgame, equality, fork, pin, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks e1/h1; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3/f4/g2. Black: king g8; queen g4; rook h6; bishop h3; pawns a7/b6/c6/d5/e4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxh3 — rook h1→h3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh3 — rook h6→h3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc6 (queen c2→c6, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Rh1+ — rook h3→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh1 (king g1→h1, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Qh4+ — queen g4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
  5. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen h4→e1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, equality, fork, pin, very long. The key move Qxe1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p5pp/1pp4r/3p4/3PpPq1/4P2b/PPQ3P1/4R1KR w - - 2 30

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