Chess Puzzle #nQblJ — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2479 · Master · advantage, discovered attack, kingside attack, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king c1; queen g5; rooks d1/h1; bishops d3/e5; knight c3; pawns c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/f8; bishop c5; knights a5/f6; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bd4 — bishop c5→d4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxh7+ — bishop d3→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king g8→h7, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d1→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen b6→d4, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Bxd4 — bishop e5→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Bxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/1p3ppp/pq2pn2/n1bpB1Q1/8/2NB3P/2P2PP1/2KR3R b - - 3 17

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