Chess Puzzle #4V4rn — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1217 · Intermediate · crushing, kingside attack, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks c1/g1; bishops d5/f4; pawns a3/b2/c3/e3/f2/h3. Black: king h8; queen f5; rooks a8/f8; bishops b7/g7; pawns a6/b5/c5/d6/f3/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxb7 — bishop d5→b7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen f5→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bh2 (bishop f4→h2).
  3. Best move: Be5 — bishop g7→e5. Opponent replies Rg3 (rook g1→g3).
  4. Best move: Bxg3 — bishop e5→g3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/1b4b1/p2p4/1ppB1q1p/5B2/P1P1Pp1P/1P3P2/2RQ2RK w - - 2 28

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