Chess Puzzle #Xi5Nk — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2619 · Master · advantage, intermezzo, middlegame, very long.

Position

White: king h1; queen e5; rooks e2/g1; bishops c1/f3; pawns a2/b3/e6/h3. Black: king g8; queen d3; rooks d8/e8; knights d5/f6; pawns a5/b5/c5/d4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd5 — bishop f3→d5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen d3→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rh2 (rook e2→h2).
  3. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d8→d5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxg7+ (rook g1→g7, captures pawn, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kxg7 — king g8→g7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qc7+ (queen e5→c7, gives check).
  5. Best move: Rd7 — rook d5→d7. Opponent replies Qxd7+ (queen c7→d7, captures rook, gives check).
  6. Best move: Nxd7 — knight f6→d7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, intermezzo, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/6p1/4Pn1p/pppnQ3/3p4/1P1q1B1P/P3R3/2B3RK w - - 0 33

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