Chess Puzzle #9bD0F — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2403 · Master · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen d5; rook g3; knight h5; pawns a2/b3/c4/e3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b1; rooks c8/f7; bishop d7; pawns a7/b7/d6/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king g8→f8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxd6+ — queen d5→d6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
  3. Best move: Qd5 — queen d6→d5.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxd6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/pp1b1rpp/3p1p2/3Q3N/2P5/1P2P1RP/P5PK/1q6 b - - 6 31

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