Chess Puzzle #X1pV9 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2157 · Expert · attraction, crushing, deflection, endgame, fork, long.

Position

White: king h1; queen g3; rooks b1/f1; pawns a2/c3/d5/g5/h2. Black: king g8; queen d2; rook e2; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/d6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb7 — rook b1→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxd5+ — queen d2→d5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qf3 (queen g3→f3).
  3. Best move: Rxh2+ — rook e2→h2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh2 (king h1→h2, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Nxf3+ — knight e5→f3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, deflection, endgame, fork, long. The key move Qxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pp3ppp/3p4/3Pn1P1/8/2P3Q1/P2qr2P/1R3R1K w - - 4 26

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