Chess Puzzle #QVjBj — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1853 · Advanced · defensive move, discovered attack, equality, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king f1; queen c3; rooks d1/h1; knight d2; pawns a2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d5; rooks a8/e8; bishop f5; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qb5+ — queen d5→b5, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nc4 — knight d2→c4. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
  3. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d1→d4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

defensive move, discovered attack, equality, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Nc4.

Position data

FEN: r3r2k/pp6/6p1/3q1b2/3n4/2Q2P2/P2N2PP/3R1K1R b - - 3 23

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