Chess Puzzle #xLTgO — Expert, White to move, opening

Rating 2220 · Expert · advantage, attraction, kingside attack, long, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king e1; queen f3; rooks a1/h1; bishops c2/e5; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e3/f2/g5/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops b7/e7; knight f6; pawns a7/b4/c4/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nd7 — knight f6→d7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxh7+ — bishop c2→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king g8→h7, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qh5+ — queen f3→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
  4. Best move: Bxg7 — bishop e5→g7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, kingside attack, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Bxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/pb2bppp/4pn2/3pB1P1/1ppP4/2P1PQ2/PPBN1P1P/R3K2R b KQ - 0 13

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