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

Rating 2254 · Expert · advantage, exposed king, fork, middlegame, quiet move, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen a1; rook f1; bishops f6/g4; pawns a3/b4/e3/f2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c2; rooks c7/d8; bishop f7; pawns a7/b7/e4/g5/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd5 — rook d8→d5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bh8 — bishop f6→h8. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
  3. Best move: Qg7+ — queen a1→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f8→e8).
  4. Best move: Bxh5 — bishop g4→h5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxh5 (bishop f7→h5, captures bishop).
  5. Best move: Qg8+ — queen g7→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
  6. Best move: Qxd5 — queen g8→d5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, fork, middlegame, quiet move, sacrifice, very long. The key move is Bh8.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/ppr2b2/5B2/6pp/1P2p1B1/P3P2P/2q2P2/Q4RK1 b - - 2 29

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