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

Rating 2006 · Expert · advantage, exposed king, fork, middlegame, sacrifice, very long.

Position

White: king h1; queen f4; rooks a1/e1; bishop c4; pawns a2/b2/c3/h3. Black: king f7; queen b6; rooks g4/g8; bishops f5/f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: hxg4 — pawn h3→g4, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxg4 — rook g8→g4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxf5 (queen f4→f5, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Rh4+ — rook g4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king h1→g2).
  4. Best move: Qxb2+ — queen b6→b2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Re2 (rook e1→e2).
  5. Best move: Qxe2+ — queen b2→e2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe2 (bishop c4→e2, captures queen).
  6. Best move: exf5 — pawn e6→f5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, fork, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Qxb2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/pp3k2/1qp1pb1p/5b2/2B2Qr1/2P4P/PP6/R3R2K w - - 0 23

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