Chess Puzzle #GR8rD — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2688 · Master · crushing, middlegame, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks a8/b1; pawns d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen f5; rooks e6/h8; knights d7/e4; pawns b6/c6/d5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nb8 — knight d7→b8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxb6 — queen b3→b6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxf2+ (queen f5→f2, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kh1 — king g1→h1. Opponent replies Qe1+ (queen f2→e1, gives check).
  4. Best move: Rxe1 — rook b1→e1, captures queen. Opponent replies Nf2+ (knight e4→f2, gives check).
  5. Best move: Kg1 — king h1→g1. Opponent replies Nh3+ (knight f2→h3, gives check).
  6. Best move: gxh3 — pawn g2→h3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxb6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: R1k4r/3n2p1/1pp1r2p/3p1q2/3Pn3/1Q6/5PPP/1R4K1 b - - 1 30

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