Chess Puzzle #f7rQv — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2695 · Master · crushing, deflection, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king b1; queen h6; rooks h1/h7; knights b5/c6; pawns a3/b2/f3/g5. Black: king f7; queen e3; rooks a8/g8; bishop g7; knights c5/d3; pawns a4/b3/f4/f5/g6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxb2 — knight d3→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nd6+ — knight b5→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f7→e6).
  3. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen h6→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e6→d7).
  4. Best move: Ne4 — knight d6→e4.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5r1/5kbR/2N3pQ/1Nn2pP1/p4p2/Pp1nqP2/1P6/1K5R b - - 9 36

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