Chess Puzzle #5q86S — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1532 · Intermediate · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h8; rook a1; bishop e5; pawns a3/b2/d4/e3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen f7; rooks a7/c2; bishop a6; pawns a5/b6/e4/e6/f5/g6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bb7 — bishop a6→b7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qb8 — queen h8→b8. Opponent replies Bc8 (bishop b7→c8).
  3. Best move: Qxa7+ — queen b8→a7, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxa7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7Q/r2k1q2/bp2p1p1/p3Bp2/3PpP2/P3P3/1Pr3PP/R5K1 b - - 13 33

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