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

Rating 2319 · Expert · advantage, defensive move, exposed king, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks d1/g3; bishop c2; knight e3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen b6; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/e7; pawns a6/b4/c4/d5/e6/f5/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rh8 — rook f8→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxg5+ — rook g3→g5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bxg5 (bishop e7→g5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxg5+ — queen h5→g5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g7→f7).
  4. Best move: Ng4 — knight e3→g4.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Rxg5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b2r2/4b1k1/pq2p3/3p1ppQ/1ppP4/2P1N1R1/PPB3PP/3R2K1 b - - 1 28

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