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

Rating 2154 · Expert · equality, middlegame, pin, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rooks d1/f1; bishop h5; knight h2; pawns a3/b2/e4/g3. Black: king d7; queen d6; rooks a8/g8; bishops e6/f4; pawns a4/b7/c6/h3. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxg3 — bishop f4→g3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qb6 — queen d4→b6. Opponent replies Bxh2+ (bishop g3→h2, captures knight, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kh1 — king g1→h1.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, pin, sacrifice, short. The key move is Qb6.

Position data

FEN: r5r1/1p1k4/2pqb3/7B/p2QPb2/P5Pp/1P5N/3R1RK1 b - - 0 32

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