Chess Puzzle #Bp5Ct — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 3077 · Master · crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, sacrifice, very long.

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rooks d1/g4; bishop c1; pawns a3/d4/e5/g2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen a4; rooks b3/f8; knight c6; pawns a6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook f8→c8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxh6 — bishop c1→h6, captures pawn. Opponent replies gxh6 (pawn g7→h6, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qf2 — queen c2→f2. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f7→f5).
  4. Best move: Qf4 — queen f2→f4. Opponent replies fxg4 (pawn f5→g4, captures rook).
  5. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen f4→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
  6. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen h6→e6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Qxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/5pp1/p1n1p2p/3pP3/q2P2R1/Pr4P1/2Q3PP/2BR3K b - - 15 28

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