Chess Puzzle #2ZkBF — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2499 · Master · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long.

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook d1; bishop g3; pawns a2/b2/d4/g2/g6/h2. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks d8/f8; pawns a6/b5/c4/e7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qh5 — queen c5→h5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe6+ — queen e4→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
  3. Best move: Qxe7+ — queen e6→e7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg6 (king g7→g6, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Re1 — rook d1→e1.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move Qxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/4p2p/p5P1/1pq5/2pPQ3/6B1/PP4PP/3R2K1 b - - 0 29

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