Chess Puzzle #z7Oq6 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2239 · Expert · advantage, deflection, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen g6; rook f1; bishop d3; knight f7; pawns a3/b2/c3/d5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen h4; rook e8; bishops d7/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re1 — rook e8→e1. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxh6+ — knight f7→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxh6 (queen h4→h6, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Rxe1 — rook f1→e1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Nxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pppb1Np1/3p1bQp/3P4/7q/P1PB3P/1P4P1/5R1K b - - 3 24

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