Chess Puzzle #2cDZn — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1196 · Beginner · crushing, deflection, endgame, long, master, pin.

Position

White: king c1; queen e1; rook h4; bishop b2; knight f3; pawns a3/b3/f2/g5. Black: king g8; queen e2; rook d8; bishop f8; pawns a7/b6/c5/d4/g6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxf3 — queen e2→f3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe6+ — queen e1→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Qf7 (queen f3→f7).
  3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h4→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king g8→h8, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Qxf7 — queen e6→f7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, long, master, pin. The key move is Qe6+.

Position data

FEN: 3r1bk1/p5p1/1p4p1/2p3P1/3p3R/PP3N2/1B2qP2/2K1Q3 b - - 1 31

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