Chess Puzzle #3Lnem — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1146 · Beginner · crushing, deflection, kingside attack, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rook a1; bishop c1; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e8; rook a8; bishop d6; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/c6/f6/f7/g7/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc4 — knight d2→c4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e8→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Qf1 (queen d3→f1).
  3. Best move: Bxh2+ — bishop d6→h2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh2 (king g1→h2, captures bishop).
  4. Best move: Qxf1 — queen e1→f1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Bxh2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3q1k1/pp1n1pp1/2pb1p2/7p/3P4/2PQ4/PP1N1PPP/R1B3K1 w - - 1 15

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