Chess Puzzle #zue00 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2468 · Master · defensive move, endgame, equality, long.

Position

White: king g1; queen b2; rook f6; pawns a4/b6/c4/e5. Black: king e7; queen b7; bishop c6; pawns c5/d3/e6/f7/g2. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qb8 — queen b7→b8. Opponent replies Qf2 (queen b2→f2).
  3. Best move: Qxe5 — queen b8→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxf7+ (rook f6→f7, captures pawn, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kd6 — king e7→d6.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, long. The key move is Qb8.

Position data

FEN: 8/1q2kp2/1Pb1pR2/2p1P3/P1P5/3p4/1Q4p1/6K1 w - - 0 48

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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