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

Rating 2381 · Expert · attraction, crushing, kingside attack, long, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/g5; bishops c1/d3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops b7/d6; pawns a7/b6/c7/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Be7 — bishop d6→e7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook g5→g7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg7 (king g8→g7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qg4+ — queen d1→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Bg5 (bishop e7→g5).
  4. Best move: Bxg5 — bishop c1→g5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, kingside attack, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxg7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/pbp2ppp/1p1b4/3p2R1/3P4/2PB4/PP3PPP/R1BQ2K1 b - - 2 14

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