Chess Puzzle #5PzIQ — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1329 · Intermediate · equality, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks d1/f1; knights c3/c4; pawns a4/b2/c2/d5/h3. Black: king g8; queen h6; rooks b8/f8; knight c7; pawns a6/b7/c5/e7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne5 — knight c4→e5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe3+ — queen h6→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
  3. Best move: Qxe5 — queen e3→e5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Qe3+.

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/1pn1pp1p/p5pq/2pP4/P1N3Q1/2N4P/1PP5/3R1RK1 w - - 4 23

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