Chess Puzzle #3AdsD — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1559 · Intermediate · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/g1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/e4/f2/h3. Black: king f7; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishop c5; pawns a7/b7/c4/d6/e5/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg8 — rook h8→g8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qh5+ — queen d1→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
  3. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen h5→h7, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q3r/pp3k1p/3p1p2/2b1p3/2p1P3/3P3P/PPP2P2/R2QK1R1 b Q - 1 15

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