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

Rating 2224 · Expert · equality, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen c6; rooks a1/e1; pawns a2/c3/e5/g3/h2. Black: king c8; queen d2; rooks d8/h8; bishop e2; pawns a7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bg4 — bishop e2→g4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qa6+ — queen c6→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
  3. Best move: Qa4+ — queen a6→a4, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The key move is Qa6+.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/p1p2ppp/2Q5/4P3/8/2P3P1/P2qb2P/R3R2K b - - 0 18

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