Chess Puzzle #z8xdT — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2215 · Expert · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/f1; bishops g2/h6; knight c4; pawns c3/e5/h3. Black: king g8; queen d3; rooks b5/f8; bishops b7/g3; knight c6; pawns a7/c5/f7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f1→f7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qg4+ (queen h5→g4, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kh8 — king g8→h8.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pb3p2/2n4B/1rp1P2Q/2N5/2Pq2bP/6B1/R4RK1 w - - 2 27

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