Chess Puzzle #mz3Ch — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2151 · Expert · attraction, crushing, long, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rooks d1/g1; bishops d3/e5; pawns a2/f2/f3/h2. Black: king h8; queen a7; rooks d8/f8; knights d5/f6; pawns a6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc5 — queen a7→c5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxg7 — rook g1→g7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxg7 (king h8→g7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rg1+ — rook d1→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
  4. Best move: Qd2+ — queen e2→d2, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxg7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r1k/q4ppp/p3pn2/3nB3/8/3B1P2/P3QP1P/3R2RK b - - 10 25

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