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

Rating 2321 · Expert · advantage, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b4; rooks d4/f1; bishop b5; knight b3; pawns a2/b2/c3/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h5; rooks b8/e8; bishop f3; knight e4; pawns a7/f5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxe8 — bishop b5→e8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qg4 — queen h5→g4. Opponent replies Bf7+ (bishop e8→f7, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxf7 — king g8→f7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Qg4.

Position data

FEN: 1r2r1k1/p5pp/8/1B3p1q/1Q1Rn3/1NP1Pb2/PP3PPP/5RK1 w - - 0 25

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