Chess Puzzle #9SmqH — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1500 · Intermediate · crushing, long, middlegame, pin, quiet move.

Position

White: king g1; queen b4; rooks a1/e1; bishop g2; pawns a2/b2/d3/e2/f2/g3. Black: king h8; queen f6; rooks d4/f8; bishop g4; pawns a7/b7/g5/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc3 — queen b4→c3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f6→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
  3. Best move: Rf6 — rook f8→f6. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen c3→d4, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Qxd4 — queen f2→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, pin, quiet move. The key move Qxf2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/pp5p/5q2/6p1/1Q1r2b1/3P2P1/PP2PPB1/R3R1K1 w - - 0 27

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