Chess Puzzle #5kgxA — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1850 · Advanced · crushing, deflection, kingside attack, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king e2; queen g6; rooks b1/h1; pawns a3/b2/c4/e3/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks d8/e8; bishop g7; knight c5; pawns a7/b7/c6/d6/g5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qf7 — queen c7→f7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h1→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king g8→h8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxf7 — queen g6→f7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, kingside attack, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Rh8+.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/ppq3b1/2pp2Q1/2n3p1/2P5/P3P1P1/1P2KPP1/1R5R b - - 0 23

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