Chess Puzzle #YXYOD — Expert, Black to move, opening

Rating 2333 · Expert · advantage, kingside attack, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishop d5; knights d2/f3; pawns a4/b4/c3/d3/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen d7; rooks g8/h8; bishops e7/h5; knight c6; pawns a6/b5/c7/d6/e5/f6/f7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: axb5 — pawn a4→b5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh3 — queen d7→h3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
  3. Best move: Qxg2+ — queen h3→g2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f1→e2).
  4. Best move: Rg3 — rook g8→g3.

Tactical themes

advantage, kingside attack, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxg2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k3rr/2pqbp2/p1np1p2/1p1Bp2b/PP2P3/2PP1N1P/3N1PP1/R2QR1K1 w - - 1 16

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