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

Rating 2333 · Expert · crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; bishops g6/h6; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e5/f3/h4. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks a8/c8; bishops d4/d7; knights b8/h5; pawns a6/b5/d6/e7/f7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop d4→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qg5 — queen d2→g5. Opponent replies fxg6 (pawn f7→g6, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen g5→g6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The key move Qxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rnr3k1/3bpp2/p2p2BB/qp2P2n/3b3P/2N2P2/PPPQ4/2KR3R b - - 0 16

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