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

Rating 2333 · Expert · crushing, endgame, exposed king, hanging piece, long.

Position

White: king f1; queen d8; rook d1; pawns a2/b3/g6. Black: king g8; queen f5; rook c7; pawns a7/d4/e3/f3. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kg7 — king g8→g7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc7+ — queen d8→c7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
  3. Best move: Qh2+ — queen c7→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg5 (king h6→g5).
  4. Best move: Qg3+ — queen h2→g3, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, hanging piece, long. The key move Qxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3Q2k1/p1r5/6P1/5q2/3p4/1P2pp2/P7/3R1K2 b - - 1 48

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