Chess Puzzle #AB97l — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1556 · Intermediate · advantage, long, master, middlegame.

Position

White: king h1; queen h4; rooks c1/f1; bishops c2/h6; knights c3/f3; pawns b2/e4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/g7; knights d3/e7; pawns a6/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxh6 — bishop g7→h6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh6 — queen h4→h6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nf2+ (knight d3→f2, gives check).
  3. Best move: Rxf2 — rook f1→f2, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxf2 (queen b6→f2, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Ng5 — knight f3→g5.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, master, middlegame. The key move Qxh6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/4npbp/pq2p1pB/8/4P2Q/2Nn1N2/1PB3PP/2R2R1K b - - 0 19

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