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

Rating 2327 · Expert · crushing, endgame, exposed king, very long.

Position

White: king g2; queen f4; rook g8; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g4/h2. Black: king d7; queen e1; rook e7; knight e4; pawns a6/b7/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxc3 — knight e4→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qd4+ — queen f4→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king d7→e6).
  3. Best move: Qb6+ — queen d4→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke5 (king e6→e5).
  4. Best move: Rg5+ — rook g8→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke4 (king e5→e4).
  5. Best move: Qb4+ — queen b6→b4, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, very long. The key move is Qd4+.

Position data

FEN: 6R1/1p1krp1p/p7/8/4nQP1/2N5/PPP3KP/4q3 b - - 14 35

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