Chess Puzzle #AvukO — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2221 · Expert · crushing, deflection, kingside attack, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen h3; rooks d1/f1; bishops d3/e5; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks c8/e8; bishops c6/e7; knight d7; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qb6 — queen d8→b6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxg6 — bishop d3→g6, captures pawn. Opponent replies fxg6 (pawn f7→g6, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen h3→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
  4. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d1→d7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2rqr1k1/3nbp1p/p1b1p1p1/1p2B3/8/P1NB3Q/1PP2PPP/3R1RK1 b - - 2 18

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