Chess Puzzle #qN9CH — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2033 · Expert · advantage, clearance, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks a1/f3; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/d3/f6/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks a8/f8; bishop b7; knight c6; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: hxg5 — pawn h6→g5, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rg3 — rook f3→g3. Opponent replies Qe5 (queen d5→e5).
  3. Best move: Qh5 — queen d1→h5. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen e5→f6, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Rxg5+ — rook g3→g5, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, long, middlegame. The key move Rxg5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/1b3p2/p1n1pP1p/1p1q2N1/8/3P1R2/PP4PP/R2Q3K b - - 2 20

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