Chess Puzzle #DbmE7 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2256 · Expert · advantage, attraction, deflection, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; rooks f3/h3; pawns a2/c2/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks c4/f8; knight c3; pawns a7/b5/e6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight c3→e4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h3→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king g8→h8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen d6→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
  4. Best move: Rxf6 — rook f3→f6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, deflection, long, middlegame. The key move Qxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p4pp1/3Qpq2/1p6/2r5/2n2R1R/P1P2PP1/6K1 b - - 1 28

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