Chess Puzzle #9aKjZ — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2345 · Expert · advantage, kingside attack, middlegame, sacrifice, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rooks a1/f3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops d7/e7; knight e8; pawns a4/a6/c4/d6/f7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bf6 — bishop e7→f6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rg3+ — rook f3→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Bg7 (bishop f6→g7).
  3. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook g3→g7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Nxg7 (knight e8→g7, captures rook).
  4. Best move: f6 — pawn f5→f6. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen d8→f6, captures pawn).
  5. Best move: Qxf6 — queen h6→f6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, kingside attack, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxg7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2qnrk1/3bbp2/p2p3Q/5P2/p1p1P3/2N2R1P/PPP3P1/R5K1 b - - 2 21

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