Chess Puzzle #Q32Xf — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2223 · Expert · double check, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rook a1; bishop c1; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g4. Black: king f5; queen g8; rooks a8/h8; bishop e7; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/e5/g7. Black is ahead by 9 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kg5 — king f5→g5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight d2→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg4 (king g5→g4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Qg6+ — queen f7→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf3 (king g4→f3, captures knight).
  4. Best move: Qg2# — queen g6→g2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

double check, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Qg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5qr/ppp1bQp1/2np1n2/4pk2/3P2P1/2P5/PP1N4/R1B3K1 b - - 0 17

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