Chess Puzzle #ivGgt — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2317 · Expert · crushing, middlegame, quiet move, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks d1/f1; bishops b6/g2; knight c3; pawns a2/b3/c4/e4/h3. Black: king g8; queen g3; rooks d8/e8; bishops e6/f8; knight d3; pawns a5/b7/c6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd8 — bishop b6→d8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bc5+ — bishop f8→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Bd6 — bishop c5→d6. Opponent replies e5 (pawn e4→e5).
  4. Best move: Bxe5 — bishop d6→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Be4 (bishop g2→e4).
  5. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen g3→h3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, quiet move, very long. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rrbk1/1p3ppp/1Bp1b3/p7/2P1P3/1PNn2qP/P1Q3B1/3R1RK1 w - - 0 23

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