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

Rating 2735 · Master · crushing, defensive move, opening, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/d3; knights c3/e2; pawns a2/b2/c4/d5/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen g4; rooks a8/e8; bishops c8/d6; knight f3; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kg2 — king g1→g2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qh3+ — queen g4→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf3 (king g2→f3, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Bc5 — bishop d6→c5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, opening, sacrifice, short. The key move is Qh3+.

Position data

FEN: r1b1r1k1/ppp2ppp/3b4/3P4/2P3q1/2NB1nP1/PP2N2P/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 2 14

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