Chess Puzzle #0HWsD — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 972 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, long, pin.

Position

White: king b1; queen e7; rook f1; pawns a3/b2/c2/h4. Black: king h7; queen g7; rook c5; pawns a7/b6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd5 — rook c5→d5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f1→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rd1+ (rook d5→d1, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ka2 — king b1→a2. Opponent replies Qxf7+ (queen g7→f7, captures rook, gives check).
  4. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen e7→f7, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pin. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p3Qpqk/1p4p1/2r5/7P/P7/1PP5/1K3R2 b - - 7 39

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