Chess Puzzle #LDKYu — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2032 · Expert · defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king f2; queen d3; rook a1; bishop e3; knights b1/f3; pawns a2/b2/d5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f5; knight c4; pawns a7/b6/c7/d6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf3+ — rook f5→f3, captures knight, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: gxf3 — pawn g2→f3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qh4+ (queen d8→h4, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kg2 — king f2→g2.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move gxf3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q2k1/p1p3pp/1p1p4/3P1r2/2n5/3QBN2/PP3KPP/RN6 b - - 1 17

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