Chess Puzzle #8z4sI — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2051 · Expert · endgame, equality, intermezzo, long.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook c1; bishop a3; knight e4; pawns a2/d4/h3. Black: king g8; queen h5; rook f3; bishop b7; pawns a7/b6/e6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxe4 — bishop b7→e4, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
  3. Best move: Qxe4+ — queen e2→e4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qg6+ (queen h5→g6, gives check).
  4. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen e4→g6, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, intermezzo, long. The key move Qxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pb4p1/1p2p2p/7q/3PN3/B4r1P/P3Q3/2R3K1 b - - 1 27

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