Chess Puzzle #NRp2e — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1898 · Advanced · crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rooks a1/e1; bishops c4/h6; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks a8/e8; bishop c8; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/c6/e5/f7/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: gxh6 — pawn g7→h6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qg6+ — queen e4→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
  3. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen g6→h6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b1r1k1/pp1nqpp1/2p4B/4p3/2B1Q3/8/PPP2PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 15

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