Chess Puzzle #1WS9j — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1125 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, fork, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rook e1; pawns a2/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook c7; pawns b7/e6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen a7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
  3. Best move: Qxc7 — queen b8→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Qb8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/Qpr3pp/4p3/3qP3/8/8/P5PP/4R1K1 b - - 0 22

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