Chess Puzzle #zFTme — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2441 · Master · defensive move, endgame, equality, quiet move, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rook a3; knight e2; pawns a2/c2/d5/e4/e6/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen c8; rook f2; bishop d4; pawns a6/c4/c7/d6/e7/g5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf4+ — rook f2→f4, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight e2→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxg4 (rook f4→g4, captures queen).
  3. Best move: hxg4 — pawn h3→g4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qb8 (queen c8→b8).
  4. Best move: Rf3 — rook a3→f3. Opponent replies Qb6 (queen b8→b6).
  5. Best move: c3 — pawn c2→c3.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, quiet move, very long. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2q3k1/2p1p2p/p2pP1p1/3P2p1/2pbP1Q1/R5PP/P1P1Nr2/6K1 b - - 5 26

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