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

Rating 2103 · Expert · equality, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king h1; queen e6; rook f1; bishops c8/g5; pawns a2/d5/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d4; rook a8; bishops c4/g7; pawns b6/c7/d6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd5 — bishop c4→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f1→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Bxf8 (bishop g7→f8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Bf6+ — bishop g5→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen d4→f6, captures bishop).
  4. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen e6→f6, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1B4k/2p3bp/1p1pQ1p1/3P2B1/2bq4/8/P5PP/5R1K b - - 3 27

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