Chess Puzzle #9fuxW — Master, White to move, opening

Rating 2518 · Master · attraction, crushing, kingside attack, long, opening, sacrifice.

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops d3/e5; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/e3/f2/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops b7/e7; knight d7; pawns a7/b6/c7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c7→c5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxh7+ — bishop d3→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king g8→h7, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qh5+ — queen d1→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
  4. Best move: Bxg7 — bishop e5→g7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, kingside attack, long, opening, sacrifice. The key move Bxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/pbpnbppp/1p2p3/3pB1P1/3P3P/3BP3/PPPN1P2/R2QK2R b KQ - 0 11

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