Chess Puzzle #PpSgP — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2546 · Master · attraction, crushing, defensive move, deflection, kingside attack, long.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/c4; knight b5; pawns a2/b2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen h3; rooks b8/f8; bishops c8/e5; pawns a7/b6/d4/d7/e6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re1 — rook f1→e1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf2 — rook f8→f2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxf2 (king g1→f2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxh2+ — queen h3→h2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king f2→f1).
  4. Best move: Bb7 — bishop c8→b7.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, defensive move, deflection, kingside attack, long, opening, sacrifice. The key move Qxh2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1rb2rk1/p2p3p/1p2p1p1/1N2b3/2Bp4/6Pq/PP3P1P/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 18

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