Chess Puzzle #SQt9B — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2204 · Expert · advanced pawn, crushing, kingside attack, long, middlegame, promotion.

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rooks b7/f1; bishop h2; knight a4; pawns a3/c5/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen h4; rooks d8/f8; knights d7/e4; pawns a5/d5/e3/g5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd7 — rook b7→d7, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen h4→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf2 (rook f1→f2, captures queen).
  3. Best move: exf2+ — pawn e3→f2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  4. Best move: f1=Q+ — pawn f2→f1, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, kingside attack, long, middlegame, promotion, sacrifice. The key move Qxf2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r1k/1R1n4/4Q2p/p1Pp2p1/N2Pn2q/P3p2P/5PPB/5RK1 w - - 1 26

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