Chess Puzzle #43XYh — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1324 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, short.

Position

White: king g2; queen b5; rook c2; pawns c5/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen d1; rook c6; pawns e4/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf6 — rook c6→f6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen b5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
  3. Best move: Qxe4+ — queen e8→e4, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Qxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/2r4p/1QP5/4p2P/6P1/2R2PK1/3q4 b - - 4 32

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