Chess Puzzle #Y2m8q — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2546 · Master · advantage, middlegame, pin, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks a1/f1; knight e4; pawns a2/c4/c6/d5/f2/g3/h4. Black: king e7; queen f5; rooks a8/g8; knight f4; pawns a6/b7/d6/e5/f6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c4→c5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qh3 — queen f5→h3. Opponent replies Qf3 (queen e3→f3).
  3. Best move: Rg4 — rook g8→g4. Opponent replies Nxd6 (knight e4→d6, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Rxh4 — rook g4→h4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nf5+ (knight d6→f5, gives check).
  5. Best move: Qxf5 — queen h3→f5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move is Qh3.

Position data

FEN: r5r1/1p2k3/p1Pp1p2/3Ppq1p/2P1Nn1P/4Q1P1/P4P2/R4RK1 w - - 1 24

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