Chess Puzzle #1u1zG — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2396 · Expert · crushing, deflection, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king f1; queen h4; rook e1; bishops c2/e3; pawns b2/d5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen b4; rooks e7/e8; bishop b8; pawns a6/c4/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h6→h5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh5+ — queen h4→h5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h7→g7).
  3. Best move: Qh6+ — queen h5→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king g7→g8).
  4. Best move: Bxg6 — bishop c2→g6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxh5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1b2r3/4rp1k/p5pp/3P4/1qp4Q/4B2P/1PB2PP1/4RK2 b - - 3 38

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