Chess Puzzle #CfPA0 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2326 · Expert · crushing, middlegame, pin, very long.

Position

White: king h3; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/c2; knights c3/f8; pawns a3/b2/d5/f2/g3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook a8; bishops b6/c8; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/c7/e4/f4/g7/h6. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kg2 — king h3→g2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: f3+ — pawn f4→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king g2→g1).
  3. Best move: Qf5 — queen f6→f5. Opponent replies Bxe4 (bishop c2→e4, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Qh3 — queen f5→h3. Opponent replies Bxf3 (bishop e4→f3, captures pawn).
  5. Best move: Qxg3+ — queen h3→g3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Qxg3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b2Nk1/ppp3p1/1b3q1p/3Pn3/4pp2/P1N3PK/1PB2P2/R1BQ1R2 w - - 0 23

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