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

Rating 2340 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks d1/e1; bishop b1; pawns a3/b4/d5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook f8; bishop d4; knight f4; pawns a7/b7/e5/f5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc4 — queen c2→c4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qg5 — queen d8→g5. Opponent replies d6+ (pawn d5→d6, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kg7 — king g8→g7. Opponent replies Qf1 (queen c4→f1).
  4. Best move: Nxh3+ — knight f4→h3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Nxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3q1rk1/pp5p/6p1/3Ppp2/1P1b1n2/P6P/2Q2PP1/1B1RR1K1 w - - 3 29

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