Chess Puzzle #6zl8f — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1765 · Advanced · crushing, deflection, kingside attack, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king b1; queen g6; rooks d1/h1; knights d2/f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g5. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks c8/f7; bishops b7/g7; knight d7; pawns a6/b5/d6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf8 — knight d7→f8. 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 rook. Opponent replies Qc7 (queen b6→c7).
  4. Best move: Rh1+ — rook d1→h1, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1b1n1rb1/pq1p2Q1/1p4P1/3P4/2P2N2/PP1N1P2/1K1R3R b - - 0 21

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