Chess Puzzle #P9eJu — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2046 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, discovered attack, exposed king, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rooks d1/g2; bishop f2; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/c3/h3. Black: king c8; queen e5; rooks d8/h8; knight g3; pawns a6/b5/c5/e6/h4. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxg3 — bishop f2→g3, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: hxg3 — pawn h4→g3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nf1 (knight d2→f1).
  3. Best move: Rxh3+ — rook h8→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
  4. Best move: Rdh8 — rook d8→h8.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/8/p3p3/1pp1q3/7p/2P3nP/PPQN1BR1/3R3K w - - 4 28

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