Chess Puzzle #xQxb5 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2441 · Master · crushing, discovered attack, endgame, very long.

Position

White: king d3; rook a1; bishop e2; knight f1; pawns a4/b5/d5/e4/f3. Black: king h5; rook f2; bishops h3/h4; pawns b6/c7/d6/e5/f4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re1 — rook a1→e1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe2 — rook f2→e2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Kxe2 (king d3→e2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Bxe1 — bishop h4→e1, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxe1 (king e2→e1, captures bishop).
  4. Best move: Kh4 — king h5→h4. Opponent replies Nd2 (knight f1→d2).
  5. Best move: Kg3 — king h4→g3.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, endgame, very long. The key move Rxe2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p5/1p1p4/1P1Pp2k/P3Pp1b/3K1P1b/4Br2/R4N2 w - - 19 46

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