Chess Puzzle #0cNN3 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2294 · Expert · advantage, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/c7; knights e4/g5; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks a8/e8; knights c6/f4; pawns a6/b5/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f5 — pawn f7→f5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qb3+ — queen d1→b3, gives check. Opponent replies Re6 (rook e8→e6).
  3. Best move: Rxc6 — rook c7→c6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Qb3+.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/2R2ppp/p1n3q1/1p2p1N1/4Nn2/2P4P/PP3PP1/R2Q2K1 b - - 0 23

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