Chess Puzzle #JN8Vt — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1967 · Advanced · equality, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks c1/d1; bishop g2; pawns a2/c5/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king c8; queen e6; rooks d8/h8; bishops d6/f5; pawns a7/b6/d4/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: bxc5 — pawn b6→c5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxd4 — queen d2→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bc7 (bishop d6→c7).
  3. Best move: Qxc5 — queen d4→c5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxd1+ (rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check).
  4. Best move: Rxd1 — rook c1→d1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/p4p1p/1p1bq3/2P2b2/3p4/6P1/P2QPPBP/2RR2K1 b - - 0 25

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