Chess Puzzle #HIh8g — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1963 · Advanced · advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knights b1/e5; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e8; rooks a8/h8; bishops b7/f8; knight f6; pawns a6/b4/c5/d7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc4+ — queen c3→c4, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: d5 — pawn d7→d5. Opponent replies exd5 (pawn e4→d5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Qxe5 — queen e8→e5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move is d5.

Position data

FEN: r3qbkr/1b1p2pp/p4n2/2p1N3/1p2P3/2Q2P2/PPP3PP/RNB2RK1 w - - 0 13

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