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

Rating 2073 · Expert · crushing, endgame, very long.

Position

White: king f1; queen d5; rook b7; bishop a2; pawns a4/d4/f2. Black: king g8; queen f4; rook f8; bishop d2; pawns f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Be3 — bishop d2→e3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf7 — rook b7→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen d5→f7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf7 (queen f4→f7, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Bxf7+ — bishop a2→f7, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
  5. Best move: fxe3 — pawn f2→e3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1R3pp1/7p/3Q4/P2P1q2/8/B2b1P2/5K2 b - - 0 35

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