Chess Puzzle #MJxD7 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2191 · Expert · crushing, deflection, endgame, short.

Position

White: king f2; queen h6; rook e1; pawns a2/f4/h2. Black: king e7; queen c3; rook e8; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd8 — king e7→d8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qg5+ — queen h6→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king d8→c8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/ppp1kp2/7Q/8/3n1P2/2q5/P4K1P/4R3 b - - 4 39

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