Chess Puzzle #3gYzm — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1610 · Advanced · crushing, endgame, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen b7; rook e4; pawns a4/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c3; rook d1; pawns a7/c5/c7/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxc2 — queen c3→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen b7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d1→d8).
  3. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen c8→d8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Qxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pQp2pp1/7p/2p5/P3R3/2q4P/2P2PPK/3r4 b - - 3 22

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