Chess Puzzle #f3cjo — Expert, White to move, opening

Rating 2109 · Expert · advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/f1; bishops c4/h6; knights c3/h4; pawns a4/b2/c2/e4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/e8; bishops c8/e7; knights d7/f6; pawns a5/b7/c6/d4/f7/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: dxc3 — pawn d4→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qg5 — queen d2→g5. Opponent replies Bc5+ (bishop e7→c5, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kh1 — king g1→h1. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop c5→f8).
  4. Best move: Bxg7 — bishop h6→g7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame, pin. The key move is Qg5.

Position data

FEN: r1b1r1k1/1pqnbpp1/2p2n1B/p7/P1BpP2N/2N4P/1PPQ2P1/R4RK1 b - - 0 16

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