Chess Puzzle #pnwhc — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2558 · Master · advantage, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king e2; queen f5; rook a1; bishop h6; knight g5; pawns c3/d4/e5/f2. Black: king e8; queen c7; rook g8; bishop b7; knight e4; pawns b5/d5/f7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra7 — rook a1→a7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qc4+ — queen c7→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf3 (king e2→f3).
  3. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen c4→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king f3→g2).
  4. Best move: Nxg5 — knight e4→g5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4k1r1/1bq2p2/7B/1p1pPQN1/3Pn3/2P5/4KP2/R7 w - - 3 33

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