Chess Puzzle #1AKCp — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2251 · Expert · advantage, clearance, exposed king, kingside attack, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rooks a1/f3; bishop g2; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c4/d4/f5/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f7; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/d8; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/d6/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: fxg6 — pawn f5→g6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nxf3+ (knight d4→f3, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Bxf3 — bishop g2→f3, captures knight. Opponent replies Qg7 (queen f7→g7).
  4. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe7 (bishop d8→e7, captures knight).
  5. Best move: Bd5+ — bishop f3→d5, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, exposed king, kingside attack, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move fxg6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1bb1rk1/1p3q2/p1np2pQ/3N1P2/2PP4/5RP1/PP4BP/R5K1 b - - 0 20

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