Chess Puzzle #S1tVt — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2076 · Expert · defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks a1/e4; bishops b3/c1; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks a8/f8; bishops d6/h3; knight d5; pawns a6/b5/c6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bh2+ — bishop d6→h2, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kxh2 — king g1→h2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Bg4+ (bishop h3→g4, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kg1 — king h2→g1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Kxh2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/5ppp/p1pb4/1p1n4/3PR2q/1BP2Q1b/PP3P2/RNB3K1 b - - 3 17

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