Chess Puzzle #06SER — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1589 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long, master, queen rook endgame.

Position

White: king h2; queen e4; pawns a2/b2/f2/h5. Black: king h7; rooks c1/g1; pawns f4/f7/g4/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rh1+ — rook g1→h1, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh1 — queen e4→h1, captures rook. Opponent replies g3+ (pawn g4→g3, gives check).
  3. Best move: fxg3 — pawn f2→g3, captures pawn. Opponent replies fxg3+ (pawn f4→g3, captures pawn, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kg2 — king h2→g2.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, master, queen rook endgame. The key move Qxh1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p1k/6p1/7P/4Qpp1/8/PP3P1K/2r3r1 b - - 2 29

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