Chess Puzzle #6VmkV — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1500 · Intermediate · crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen f5; rooks a1/h1; bishops c4/h4; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop c5; knights c6/e4; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/f7/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight c6→d4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qg6+ — queen f5→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen g6→h6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/ppp2p2/2np3p/2b2Qp1/2B1n2B/2NP1P2/PPP4P/R3K2R b KQ - 1 13

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