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

Rating 1149 · Beginner · crushing, master, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen h4; rooks d1/f1; bishop h6; knight g3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2. Black: king b8; queen g7; rook h8; knights e2/f4; pawns a7/b7/c4/d3. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf4+ — bishop h6→f4, captures knight, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxf4 — knight e2→f4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxh8+ (queen h4→h8, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Qxh8+ — queen g7→h8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, master, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxh8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k5r/pp4q1/7B/8/2p2n1Q/3p2N1/PP2nPPK/3R1R2 w - - 4 28

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