Chess Puzzle #oZCvB — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1889 · Advanced · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen f5; rooks a1/f3; bishops a2/c1; pawns a3/b2/e3/f4/g2. Black: king g8; queen h6; rooks d8/f8; bishop h2; knight d5; pawns b5/c4/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf4+ — bishop h2→f4, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh3 — rook f3→h3. Opponent replies Ne7 (knight d5→e7).
  3. Best move: Qxf4 — queen f5→f4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move is Rh3.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/5ppp/7q/1p1n1Q2/2p2P2/P3PR2/BP4Pb/R1B4K b - - 2 23

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