Chess Puzzle #3Z2kw — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2249 · Expert · crushing, discovered attack, discovered check, kingside attack, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks d1/f1; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks f4/f8; bishop b7; pawns a7/c4/c5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qg6 — queen c6→g6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf4 — queen e3→f4, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxf4 (rook f8→f4, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f4→f8).
  4. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook d8→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures rook).
  5. Best move: Ne5+ — knight f3→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
  6. Best move: Nxg6+ — knight e5→g6, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, discovered check, kingside attack, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pb4pp/2q5/2p5/2p2r2/2P1QN1P/PP4P1/3R1RK1 b - - 3 28

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