Chess Puzzle #3SA7v — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1953 · Advanced · crushing, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rook a1; bishops d2/d5; pawns a3/b2/c2/d3/f2/g2/g5. Black: king g6; queen h8; rook a8; bishops c8/d4; pawns a5/b7/c7/e5/f7/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c3 — pawn c2→c3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qh1+ — queen h8→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king e1→e2).
  3. Best move: Bg4+ — bishop c8→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Bf3 (bishop d5→f3).
  4. Best move: Qxg2 — queen h1→g2, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, pin. The key move is Qh1+.

Position data

FEN: r1b4q/1pp2pp1/6k1/p2Bp1P1/3b4/P2P4/1PPB1PP1/R2QK3 w Q - 0 18

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