Chess Puzzle #0n3XD — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1582 · Intermediate · defensive move, equality, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king h2; queen g4; rook e3; knights f1/f5; pawns e5/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b2; rook c2; bishops b4/c6; pawns a6/b7/d5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxg2+ — rook c2→g2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxg2 — queen g4→g2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxg2+ (queen b2→g2, captures queen, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxg2 — king h2→g2, captures queen. Opponent replies d4+ (pawn d5→d4, gives check).
  4. Best move: Rf3 — rook e3→f3.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, long, middlegame. The key move Qxg2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p3pp1/p1b4p/3pPN2/1b3PQ1/4R2P/1qr3PK/5N2 b - - 5 32

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