Chess Puzzle #KOEpk — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1542 · Intermediate · advantage, attraction, deflection, exposed king, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king c1; queen b7; rook f3; bishop h3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/h2. Black: king e7; queen d6; rook h8; bishop f8; knight d7; pawns a6/c6/d4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g7→g5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxd7 — bishop h3→d7, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd7 (queen d6→d7, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Rf7+ — rook f3→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king e7→f7, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Qxd7+ — queen b7→d7, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, deflection, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5b1r/1Q1nk1p1/p1pq3p/8/3p4/5R1B/PPP2P1P/2K5 b - - 2 35

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