Chess Puzzle #oE0Qa — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2201 · Expert · advantage, deflection, endgame, long, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen c7; rook f2; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/d6/e3/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen e6; rook c8; bishop d7; pawns a5/b5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ng5 — knight e4→g5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe3 — queen e6→e3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxd7 (queen c7→d7, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
  4. Best move: Qxf2 — queen e3→f2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, long, sacrifice. The key move Qxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/2Qb1pkp/3Pq1p1/pp6/4N3/4P2P/PP3RP1/6K1 w - - 1 35

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