Chess Puzzle #xQY52 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2776 · Master · crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king c1; queen c6; rooks d1/f1; bishop b8; knight h3; pawns c2/d4/g5. Black: king g6; queen a5; rook a3; knights d5/f6; pawns a6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf4+ — knight h3→f4, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kh7 — king g6→h7. Opponent replies g6+ (pawn g5→g6, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kh8 — king h7→h8. Opponent replies Qc8+ (queen c6→c8, gives check).
  4. Best move: Ng8 — knight f6→g8.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Kh7.

Position data

FEN: 1B6/6p1/p1Q2nkp/q2n2P1/3P4/r6N/2P5/2KR1R2 w - - 4 30

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