Chess Puzzle #jUUU9 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2158 · Expert · crushing, endgame, master, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks c1/c6; knight g2; pawns a6/e5/f4/g5. Black: king b8; queen g3; rooks d5/d8; pawns a7/b5/d4/f7/g6/h3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: hxg2 — pawn h3→g2, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qc2 — queen d2→c2. Opponent replies Qe3+ (queen g3→e3, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxg2 — king g1→g2, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move is Qc2.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r4/p4p2/P1R3p1/1p1rP1P1/3p1P2/6qp/3Q2N1/2R3K1 b - - 1 37

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