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

Rating 2660 · Master · crushing, deflection, endgame, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen a2; rooks c1/e1; pawns a5/e5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d2; rooks c8/f3; pawns c2/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf1 — rook e1→f1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf2 — rook f3→f2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxf2 (rook f1→f2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen d2→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
  4. Best move: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Opponent replies Qxf7 (queen a2→f7, captures pawn).
  5. Best move: Qa3 — queen c1→a3.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, very long. The key move Qxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5ppp/8/P3P3/8/5rP1/Q1pq1P1P/2R1R1K1 w - - 1 38

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