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

Rating 2112 · Expert · advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king c1; queen h7; rook h1; bishop h6; knights c3/d4; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f3/g2. Black: king f8; queen d8; rooks a8/f7; bishops d7/g7; knight c6; pawns a6/b5/d6/e5/g6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: exd4 — pawn e5→d4, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
  3. Best move: Bg5+ — bishop h6→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king e7→e6).
  4. Best move: Qh3+ — queen h8→h3, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame, pin. The key move is Qh8+.

Position data

FEN: r2q1k2/3b1rbQ/p1np2pB/1p2p3/3NP3/2N2P2/PPP3P1/2K4R b - - 3 20

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