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

Rating 2219 · Expert · crushing, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rooks g3/h3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks d4/f8; bishop b7; pawns a7/b6/c6/e6/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf7 — rook f8→f7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxg6+ — rook g3→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Qg5 — queen h6→g5. Opponent replies Rd1+ (rook d4→d1, gives check).
  4. Best move: Nxd1 — knight c3→d1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Rxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pb5p/1pp1p1pQ/5p2/2qr4/2N3RR/PP4PP/6K1 b - - 1 24

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