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

Rating 1945 · Advanced · advantage, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook a1; bishop g2; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/d4/f4. Black: king e8; queen h3; bishops c8/d6; knights f1/g4; pawns a7/b5/c7/e6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ng3 — knight f1→g3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxb5+ — queen e2→b5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bd7 (bishop c8→d7).
  3. Best move: Qb8+ — queen b5→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
  4. Best move: Bxh3 — bishop g2→h3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxb5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2b1k3/p1p2pp1/3bp3/1p6/3P1Pn1/7q/PP2Q1B1/RN3nK1 b - - 1 19

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