Chess Puzzle #0x0XZ — Expert, Black to move, opening

Rating 2339 · Expert · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks a1/f1; bishops a3/d3; knights b1/h3; pawns a2/b3/c2/d4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c7; rooks a8/h8; bishops d7/g7; knights b6/e7; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/e6/f7/g5/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxg5 — knight h3→g5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: hxg5 — pawn h6→g5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxg5 (queen h4→g5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Bf8 — bishop g7→f8.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move hxg5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/ppqbnpb1/1np1p2p/3pP1p1/3P3Q/BP1B3N/P1P2PPP/RN3RK1 w kq - 0 13

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