Chess Puzzle #VfgN0 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2027 · Expert · endgame, equality, long.

Position

White: king h2; queen g3; rook f1; pawns a3/c5/d4/e3/f5/h4. Black: king h7; queen d7; rook a8; bishops c8/g5; pawns b5/c6/d5/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxa3 — rook a8→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: hxg5 — pawn h4→g5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Ra2+ (rook a3→a2, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kh1 — king h2→h1. Opponent replies hxg5 (pawn h6→g5, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: f6 — pawn f5→f6.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, long. The key move hxg5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b5/3q3k/2p4p/1pPp1Pb1/3P3P/P3P1Q1/7K/5R2 b - - 0 36

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