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

Rating 2189 · Expert · defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen d3; rooks d1/g2; bishop d2; knight e2; pawns a3/b2/c2/d4/f4/h3. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a8/e8; knights e4/f5; pawns a5/b7/d5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxd2 — knight e4→d2, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf5 — queen d3→f5, captures knight. Opponent replies Nc4 (knight d2→c4).
  3. Best move: Rdg1 — rook d1→g1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxf5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/1p3pp1/3q3p/p2p1n2/3PnP2/P2Q3P/1PPBN1R1/2KR4 b - - 5 26

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