Chess Puzzle #JB4DO — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2477 · Master · advantage, endgame, long, pin, quiet move.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook d1; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c7; queen d4; rook e7; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxb2 — queen d4→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qd3 — queen f3→d3. Opponent replies Kb6 (king c7→b6).
  3. Best move: Rb1 — rook d1→b1. Opponent replies Qxb1+ (queen b2→b1, captures rook, gives check).
  4. Best move: Qxb1+ — queen d3→b1, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, pin, quiet move. The key move Qxb1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/ppk1r1p1/2p4p/8/3q4/5Q2/PP3PPP/3R2K1 b - - 1 30

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