Chess Puzzle #xPw8E — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2418 · Master · advantage, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king h1; queen e3; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knight c5; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h3. Black: king f7; queen d5; rooks a8/h8; bishops e6/f2; pawns a6/b5/c7/e5/g3/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxh3 — bishop e6→h3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxg3 — queen e3→g3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxg2+ (queen d5→g2, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Qxg2 — queen g3→g2, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxg2+ (bishop h3→g2, captures queen, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kxg2 — king h1→g2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxg3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r6r/2p2k2/p3b2p/1pNqp3/8/4Q1pP/PPP2bP1/R1B2R1K b - - 3 19

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