Chess Puzzle #FA2q1 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1973 · Advanced · crushing, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks c1/f1; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen f5; rooks f8/g8; bishop d6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc3 — rook c1→c3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh3 — queen f5→h3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qe6+ (queen c4→e6, gives check).
  3. Best move: Qxe6 — queen h3→e6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxh3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k2rr1/ppp5/3b1p2/5q1p/2Q5/5N1P/PP3PP1/2R2RK1 w - - 5 22

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