Chess Puzzle #OfU2h — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2357 · Expert · crushing, discovered attack, discovered check, long, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king h2; queen d1; rooks f2/g1; bishop e3; knight f1; pawns a3/b4/c3/d4/h3. Black: king h7; queen f6; rook h5; bishop d7; knight c6; pawns a4/b5/c4/d5/e6/f3/g6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ng3 — knight f1→g3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh3+ — rook h5→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh3 (king h2→h3, captures rook).
  3. Best move: e5+ — pawn e6→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Nf5 (knight g3→f5).
  4. Best move: Qxf5+ — queen f6→f5, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, discovered check, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/3b3k/2n1pqp1/1p1p3r/pPpP4/P1P1Bp1P/5R1K/3Q1NR1 w - - 2 42

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