Chess Puzzle #2ZISY — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1276 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, exposed king, intermezzo, long.

Position

White: king h1; queen d7; rooks e1/g1; pawns a2/b3/c4/d3/h3. Black: king h8; queen h6; rooks g4/g8; pawns a4/b5/c5/d6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxg4 — rook g1→g4, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen h6→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
  3. Best move: Rxg4+ — rook g8→g4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg4 (queen d7→g4, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Qxg4+ — queen h3→g4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, intermezzo, long. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6rk/3Q4/3p3q/1pp5/p1P3r1/1P1P3P/P7/4R1RK w - - 0 33

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