Chess Puzzle #32G7j — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1066 · Beginner · crushing, deflection, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g2; queen b3; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knight d5; pawns a2/c3/f3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks a8/f8; bishop c5; knight b8; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc7 — knight d5→c7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe2+ — queen a6→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh3 (king g2→h3).
  3. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen e2→f1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, middlegame, short. The key move Qxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn3rk1/p4ppp/q7/2bN4/8/1QP2PP1/P5KP/R1B2R2 w - - 1 20

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