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

Rating 2149 · Expert · equality, kingside attack, opening, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/f1; bishops c4/g3; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops c5/c8; knight e4; pawns a7/c6/c7/d6/f7/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxg3 — knight e4→g3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qg6+ — queen h5→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen g6→h6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, kingside attack, opening, pin, short. The key move Qxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1rk1/p1p2p2/2pp3p/2b3pQ/2B1n3/2P3B1/PP3PPP/RN3RK1 b - - 1 12

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