Chess Puzzle #AP34R — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2427 · Master · advantage, deflection, kingside attack, middlegame, pin, sacrifice.

Position

White: king c1; queen c2; rooks g1/h1; bishops d3/h6; knight e2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops d6/f3; knight f8; pawns a7/b7/c6/f6/f7/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxh1 — bishop f3→h1, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bh7+ — bishop d3→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh7 (knight f8→h7, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook g1→g7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
  4. Best move: Qxh7 — queen c2→h7, captures knight. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
  5. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook g7→f7, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r2qrnk1/pp3pp1/2pb1p1B/7p/3P4/2PB1b2/PPQ1NP1P/2K3RR b - - 3 14

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